Urgent ICE Mix-Up Delays Release of Native American Woman

UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Leticia Jacobo, a 24-year-old Native American woman, faced potential deportation due to an erroneous ICE detainer just hours before her scheduled release from a jail in Des Moines, Iowa. Jacobo, a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, was set to be freed on November 11, 2023, after a month in custody for allegedly driving with a suspended license.

Jacobo’s mother, Ericka Burns, was eager to bring her daughter home but was met with alarming news from jail staff. They informed her that Jacobo would not be released because she was flagged for immigration enforcement. “How is she going to get deported if she’s a Native American?” Burns’ sister, Maria Nunez, recounted the family’s panic over the situation.

The distressing incident stemmed from a clerical error, according to Lt. Mark Chance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. An ICE detainer meant for another individual was mistakenly placed on Jacobo’s record, leading to fears of her being handed over to federal agents. She was ultimately released just before 4:30 a.m. on November 12, 2023, but not without a frantic family effort to intervene.

Desperate to prevent a grave mistake, Jacobo’s family mobilized swiftly, leveraging social media to alert tribal leaders and seek assistance. “I just hope it doesn’t ever happen to someone else,” Nunez expressed, emphasizing the emotional strain of the ordeal and the potential for discriminatory practices in immigration enforcement.

The Polk County Jail operates under a 287(g) agreement with ICE, allowing local law enforcement to engage in certain immigration enforcement actions. This agreement has drawn criticism, especially as the use of ICE detainers has surged under recent presidential administrations. The current political climate has intensified scrutiny over the impact of aggressive immigration policies on Native Americans, with reports of Indigenous individuals facing similar threats of deportation.

Nunez voiced skepticism about the jail’s explanation, arguing that Jacobo’s history with the facility should have prevented this error. “Why would they make a mistake with someone that’s constantly coming in?” she questioned. Jacobo had provided her tribal identification and had been fingerprinted, yet the detainer was issued without her knowledge.

The ICE Midwest field office has not responded to inquiries regarding their verification processes for detainers, raising further concerns about the treatment of Native Americans in custody. The family is now contemplating legal action in light of the trauma experienced and the broader implications of Jacobo’s case.

As community leaders and advocates call for reform, Jacobo’s situation underscores the urgent need to address the flaws in how immigration enforcement interacts with Native American rights. The family’s experience highlights a critical gap in protections for Indigenous individuals against wrongful detainment and deportation.

This developing story continues to resonate, drawing attention to the intersection of immigration policy and Indigenous rights. As the fallout from this incident unfolds, many are left questioning how future mistakes can be prevented, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations from bureaucratic errors.