Navajo President Demands ICE Accountability After Citizen With Tribal ID Detained

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren publicly demanded accountability from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a Diné citizen, identified as Peter Yazzie, was detained in the Phoenix area despite presenting tribal documentation and stating he is a U.S. citizen and member of the Navajo Nation. Nygren called the incident "deeply troubling" and pushed for clarity on how and why federal agents detained a person who produced a tribal ID.

The president directed the Navajo Nation Washington Office to contact the Department of Homeland Security and Arizona representatives to get answers and to press for immediate corrective action. He also urged the Navajo Nation Council to fully fund the Office of Vital Records, noting current funding and contract limitations that have constrained the tribe’s ability to issue tribal identification cards. To reach Diné living off the reservation, Nygren offered to host tribal ID issuance drives in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver and other population centers where many Navajo citizens live.

The case highlights practical problems for Navajo citizens who live off-reservation or travel through urban centers. Tribal IDs serve as both proof of citizenship within the Navajo Nation and as vital records for everyday life - from banking and employment to crossing jurisdictional lines. When federal officers do not recognize or are not trained to identify valid tribal documentation, the consequences can include unnecessary detentions and erosion of trust between Indian Country and federal agencies.

The Navajo Nation release included reporting resources and referred people to an Operation Rainbow Bridge hotline for similar incidents, advising community members to report detentions and encounters with immigration enforcement. Until details emerge from DHS and ICE, community members should note the contact points in the Navajo Nation statement and be prepared for possible ID drives and outreach from tribal offices.

This incident also underscores ongoing administrative needs: expanded funding for the Office of Vital Records and clearer federal protocols recognizing tribal identification. For Diné living off the reservation, the outcome will affect daily mobility and interactions with law enforcement and federal agencies. Community leaders and tribal officials will be watching for responses from DHS and Arizona authorities, and the Navajo Nation’s pushes for better training and expanded ID access could set a practical precedent for other tribes with large off-reservation populations.

What comes next for readers is concrete action and vigilance - watch for announcements about tribal ID issuance events, use the Operation Rainbow Bridge reporting channels if you encounter similar problems, and follow communications from the Navajo Nation Washington Office as it seeks answers from federal and state officials.