ICE In Indian Country & The Power Of Kinship

In this episode of All My Relations, Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Temryss Lane (Lummi Nation) are joined by Gina Amato Lough, Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, to unpack the realities of ICE in Indian Country. We dive into the self-made crisis at the southern border of what is now known as the United States, and the dangers that face not just (im)migrant and Native communities, but everyone living here.

With the expertise of someone who has over 20 years of experience working in direct service with asylum seekers, immigrants in detention, survivors of violent crime, unaccompanied children, and victims of notario fraud, Gina guides this conversation with grace in contextualizing where we are right now. She reminds us that the inhumane actions taken by the Trump Administration like the implementation of Remain in Mexico Program and the removal of the CBP App, which eliminated the only lawful way for people to enter the border through – is rooted in U.S. imperialism and has devastating consequences for us all. 

We explore the unintended consequences and ongoing ramifications of our rapidly eroding democracy; how Trump’s deportation machine, if successful, ensures catastrophic consequences for our economy, our education systems, and the base of what supports all our communities. We are reminded that this is not a single issue. ICE in Indian Country impacts all of our livelihoods at every level. 

So, what does it mean to be a good relative right now? 

We must return to solidarity with one another. Gina reminds us that focusing on our shared history, cultures, goals and values binds us, and it is by design that communities of color are pitted against each other. The Trump administration’s “shock and awe” tactics are not just policy decisions—they are deliberate strategies meant to exhaust us, burn us out, and keep us on the defensive. 

So start by staying informed, knowing your rights, and sharing resources in the community. From a monetary standpoint, there are organizations you can support like Public Counsel or ACLU – links to all resources mentioned are listed below. 

This is a call to all relatives—Indigenous and non-Native alike. Keeping our communities safe requires knowing the tactics being used against us and resisting together. We must move beyond defense and take the offensive—leveraging our power through advocacy, spending, voting, and boycotts. Our creativity is more crucial than ever. Together, we are powerful.

• Public Counsel Donation: https://publiccounsel.org/donate/
• ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/ 
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: https://nwirp.org/

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Follow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.