On Jan. 20, Chief Kirk E. Francis of the Penobscot Nation issued a community memo regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. This message comes amid growing concerns over improper training and racial profiling by members of ICE. The Maine Campus spoke with Liliana Sapiel, a member of the Penobscot Nation and fourth-year student, to better understand concerns shared by tribal members in the University of Maine community and greater Orono area.
The Chief’s message highlights that worries many immigrants have been facing have now extended to Native Americans. He advised members of the Penobscot Nation to carry their Tribal Identification cards, since it is a valid form of proof of citizenship. The message urged tribal members who encountered ICE to remain calm and alert the Tribal Council of any sightings within the area. It also included documents containing the legal rights of a person approached or detained by ICE.
The Maine Campus reached out to Liliana Sapiel, a member of the Penobscot Nation and fourth-year political science student. She is also a fellow with the Wabanaki Research Institute and a Native American Studies minor. Sapiel described the anxiety her family has felt since ICE activity first increased in Maine, despite being citizens.
“I have felt a constant unease and rise in anxiety, especially as someone who is a first generation Mexican as well as a tribally enrolled member of the Penobscot Nation. I fear for my family in California and my husband’s family who were once immigrants from the Philippines,” said Sapiel. “Of course, we are citizens of this land because no one is illegal on stolen land.”
Sapiel was asked what she thinks about the community message to Penobscot Nation regarding carrying tribal ID cards for the foreseeable future. She said that before concerns spiked, she hadn’t felt a pressing need to carry or update her card, but now that has changed.
“Having to deal with the blatant racism from a corrupt government trying to silence me has definitely left me at unease. I had just been warned a few months ago to get my tribal ID and just recently updated mine as a precaution,” said Sapiel. When asked when she may feel safe again, she asserted that moment will likely not come until “there are major changes within our government and the resignation of our president.”
Sapiel added that though political opinions are always polarized, her friends and family do not feel safe under the current conditions.
“I may be fearful, but my existence will always be illegal, so I have no other choice but to live an existence of resistance,” said Sapiel.
Sapiel wanted to share a message with the community regarding how people can take a more active role in pressuring officials to curb ICE’s continued presence, even though Maine politicians like Sen. Susan Collins recently reported an end to the patrol surge in the state.
“I encourage people to speak up in any way you can about ICE and about what our current administration is doing to every person on this land. There will be no rest until we make real change. This means engaging in hard conversations and stepping up to take action; calling your local government, encouraging friends and family to do the same,” said Sapiel.
She added that there are resources available for those who encounter ICE, though they differ by tribe, and that the best way to check on what resources may exist would be to contact the Tribal Clerk’s Office.
UMaine also provides the consultancy services of a lawyer at no cost for all students, although students needing legal representation will be referred out of office to an immigration lawyer, at full cost. A legal consultation can be accessed either on UMSG’s website or in Room 157 of the Memorial Union. UMaine also provides counseling services for students who may be experiencing increased anxiety at the Counseling Center through Cutler Health.
