Menominee, Stockbridge-Munsee Urge Tribal Members to Carry IDs Amid ICE Raids

Tribal leaders from the Menominee Nation and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community urged tribal members to carry identification and to be prepared after Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity elsewhere prompted concern about detentions. The advisories, posted on social media following events on January 18, 2026, stressed that preparedness could reduce the risk of members getting caught up in raids or arrests when they live, work or travel off reservation.

Stockbridge-Munsee leaders warned that "ICE has already detained Native Americans throughout the United States, and we need to be prepared here in Wisconsin." The post added practical steps: "Be proactive. Carry your tribal, state and/or federal IDs wherever you go," and noted that "A birth certificate is another form of documentation that could help. If you are stopped, cooperate and remain respectful." Menominee officials echoed those themes, saying "Being prepared and informed is the best way to respond safely if contacted."

Officials emphasized that the Menominee reservation itself is not the focus of federal enforcement but acknowledged that many tribal members live, work and travel in areas with reported ICE activity. Tribal authorities are putting a safety net in place to assist anyone who may be detained and are urging members to take immediate, practical steps to reduce disruption.

Tribal IDs are official documents, but leaders warned they have not always been recognized by ICE. To avoid complications, both tribes recommended carrying additional forms of identification such as a state-issued ID, birth certificate or passport when traveling through areas with reported ICE activity. Legal and know-your-rights resources are being shared; the Native American Rights Fund materials linked by leaders include narf.org/ice-resources-2026 and narf.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/know-your-rights-ice-2026.pdf.

The potential economic fallout from detentions can be significant for Menominee County. Even short-term removals of workers can disrupt household income, create staffing shortages for local businesses, and strain tribal social services. For a rural county with a tight labor market, unexpected absences in sectors such as construction, retail and tribal enterprises can ripple through payrolls and consumer spending. Tribal leaders’ focus on documentation and a coordinated response aims to limit those shocks and to keep families and local commerce stable.

For residents, the immediate takeaway is simple and actionable: carry multiple forms of ID, know basic rights if contacted by enforcement officers, and reach out to tribal offices if assistance is needed. Tribal leadership says it will continue coordinating support and sharing updates as the situation evolves, prioritizing the safety and security of members who live off reservation and travel across the region.