ST. PAUL, Minn. (Valley News Live) – The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced Friday that two Minnesota businesses discriminated against Native American customers by refusing to accept tribal identification cards.
The announcement follows reports that federal immigration agents harassed and detained American Indian community members by refusing to accept tribal identification cards during Operation Metro Surge, prompting tribes to affirm that tribal ID cards issued to enrolled members are valid forms of identification.
“Tribal identification is an integral part of a Tribe’s sovereignty, right to self-determination, and self-governance,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “Schools, businesses, and law enforcement cannot refuse Tribal identification or require additional burdens on Tribal members who use their Tribal ID.”…