𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗢 𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗢, 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗠𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗖𝗢

According to a report on the Mescalero Apache Tribal website, a tribal member was questioned by an ICE agent in Ruidoso, New Mexico January 22 at 3:45 PM.  Agents first questioned a family standing in front of the tribal member, then escorted the family outside of this public place.

An ICE agent returned to question the tribal member, speaking to him in Spanish.  When the member told the agent that he spoke English, he was asked to show a passport.  The tribal member presented his New Mexico drivers license and a tribal identification card, after which the ICE agent left.

“While this is the only incident we have been able to verify, Tribal leadership is actively working with the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to ensure the rights of Tribal Members are protected,” said Tribal President Thora Walsh-Padilla on the Tribe’s website.

The Tribe advised its members to keep identification on them at all times and if possible, carry multiple forms of identification, including driver’s license, state-issued identification card, tribal identification card and certificate of Indian blood.

Mescalero or Mescalero Apache (Mescalero-Chiricahua: Naa'dahéńdé) is an Apache tribe of Southern Athabaskan–speaking Native Americans. The tribe is federally recognized as the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Apache Reservation, located in south-central New Mexico.

In the 19th century, the Mescalero opened their reservation to other Apache tribes, such as the Mimbreno (Chíhéńde, Warm Springs Apaches) and the Chiricahua (Shá’i’áńde or Chidikáágu). Some Lipan Apache (Tú’édįnéńde and Túntsańde) also joined the reservation. Their descendants are enrolled in the Mescalero Apache Tribe.