Tribal border authorities could get better opportunities with new bill

(The Center Square) – Newly introduced legislation hopes to keep tribal border authorities working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

People known as "Shadow Wolves" play a critical role in patrolling the border along the Tohono O’odham Nation, specifically when it comes to illicit drug trafficking into the United States, according to a news release.

However, the release notes that the fact that they are "excepted" employees instead of "competitive" ones makes it difficult for them to move up within the organization, which is something that the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act would aim to change.

The legislation was introduced by Sens. Mark Kelly, Kyrsten Sinema, James Lankford and John Hoeven.

“ICE Shadow Wolves agents—a Native American tactical patrol unit—use their unique expertise and personal knowledge to stop drug traffickers and human smugglers from coming across the southern border," Lankford said in a statement. "Giving these critical law enforcement officers access to expanded career mobility and opportunity not only supports their work to secure the border but also strengthens recruiting and retention for agents."

The Native American nation's government expressed support for the legislation, which is similar to bill passed in 2022 that allowed the shadow wolves to be considered special agents.

The Tohono O’odham Nation strongly supports the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act, which will further enhance the effectiveness of the Shadow Wolves program by improving retention and recruitment and expanding the program," Verlon Jose, Chairman of Tohono O’odham Nation, said in a statement.

"The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has done great work incorporating feedback from the Nation into this bill. Its passage will ensure that this group of Native American agents can continue to grow and provide their uniquely important capabilities to protect the Tohono O’odham and the U.S. homeland,” Jose added.

Previously, there's been pushback against a wall on the tribes land, as well as opposition to placing Arizona National Guard troops on the land when Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered their deployment in December. Still, there is a degree of support for border enforcement by the tribal government, KJZZ reported.

The southern border in Arizona has dealt with hundreds of thousands of migrant encounters in fiscal year 2024.