MENDOCINO CO., 2/4/26 – As concerns about federal immigration enforcement ripple through Indian Country, the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar last week for tribal citizens, governments and community organizations.
While Mendocino County has not seen any confirmed sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activity, organizers said the guidance is intended to help Native communities understand their rights and prepare for possible encounters.
The 90-minute session focuses on what to do if someone is approached by ICE in public, in a vehicle or at home, and included actions tribal nations can do internally, as well as a legal overview of jurisdiction and the differences between ICE and other federal agencies.
The webinar comes amid reports of Native people being stopped or questioned during ICE activity in other parts of the country, including Minneapolis, where some tribal citizens have begun carrying tribal identification in response to fears of racial profiling and mistaken detention.
Speakers included Larry Wright Jr., executive director of the National Congress of American Indians; Beth Wright, a staff attorney with the Native American Rights Fund; Matthew Campbell, a NARF attorney; and Lenny Findlay, general counsel for NCAI.
Presenters repeatedly framed the guidance as general information, not legal advice, and stressed balancing the assertion of rights with personal safety.
Key points for tribal members or citizens
Speakers emphasized four core points during the webinar:
- Individuals have the right to remain silent during encounters with immigration agents and may state that they are exercising that right.
- Lying or providing false information can carry criminal consequences.
- Physical resistance was discouraged, and the webinar emphasized documenting encounters safely, including recording or filming interactions when feasible, as well as noting details afterward and photographing injuries or property damage.
- Tribal identification cards are valid forms of identification, and carrying identification, with a backup document when available, was recommended depending on individual circumstances.
Encounters at home
The webinar also addressed encounters at home, emphasizing that residents are not required to open the door unless agents present a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An administrative warrant, presenters said, does not provide the same authority to enter a home without consent. They suggested asking officers to hold paperwork up to a window or screen for review, rather than opening the door to receive it.
Guidance for organizations and tribal nations
The webinar also addressed steps Native-serving organizations and tribes can take to respond to potential encounters with federal immigration authorities.
The guidance included clarifying which workplace areas are open to the public and which are private, including “employee-only” signage, and identifying trained staff to communicate with law enforcement and review warrants.
For tribal governments, speakers discussed steps such as establishing hotlines, holding ID drives, identifying nearby detention locations, and formally requesting consultation with the Department of Homeland Security — which maintains a tribal consultation policy.
A recording of the webinar is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJfq_mC5dTU and related “Know Your Rights” materials are available through the Native American Rights Fund at https://narf.org/ice-resources-2026/.