HR 8742 — Respect Tribal IDs Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html May 12, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill requires training for Department of Homeland Security officers on interactions with Native American tribes and the recognition of tribal documents as proof of citizenship.

• 8 U.S.C. 1357

  (i)(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and in consultation with Indian tribes, develop training curricula for any officer or employee of the Department of Homeland Security on-- (A) appropriate protocol, as developed by the Secretary, for interacting with all enrolled members of Indian Tribes; (B) how to identify a Native American tribal document; (C) accepting a Native American tribal document as proof of United States citizenship; (D) how to access examples of a Native American tribal document; and (E) the trust responsibility of the United States Government.

  This adds a new requirement for training on tribal interactions and documentation recognition.

• 8 U.S.C. 1357

  (2) The curricula developed under paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) the contact information, names, locations, and Native American tribal document formats of all Indian Tribes in the region where an officer or employee will perform duties relating to enforcement of the immigration laws; (B) scenario-based exercises; (C) the development of a database with examples of Native American tribal documents; (D) pre- and post-training assessments; and (E) a history with respect to American Indians being granted United States citizenship and the trust responsibility of the United States Government.

  This specifies additional content to be included in the training curricula.

• 8 U.S.C. 1357

  (3) Before an officer or employee may perform duties relating to enforcement of the immigration laws, such officer or employee shall be required to complete the training curricula developed under paragraph (1) not less than annually and each time the officer or employee is assigned to a new region.

  This mandates annual completion of the training for relevant officers and employees.

• 8 U.S.C. 1357

  (4) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Respect Tribal IDs Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on the development of the training curricula established under this subsection to the Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Indian Affairs of the Senate.

  This requires a report on the training curricula's development to Congress within a year.

• 8 U.S.C. 1357

  (5) In this subsection-- (A) the term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given such term in the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994; and (B) the term `Native American tribal document' includes-- (i) Native American tribal cards issued pursuant to section 7209 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458); (ii) documentary evidence issued by Federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Tribes located in a State that has an international border, which-- (I) identifies the Federally recognized Indian Tribe that issued the document; (II) identifies the individual by name; and (III) confirms the individual's membership, enrollment, or affiliation with the Tribe; (iii) other documents approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security as confirming United States citizenship; and (iv) documents described in subparagraph (B)(ii) include-- (I) a tribal enrollment card; (II) a certificate of degree of Indian blood; (III) a tribal census document; and (IV) a document on tribal letterhead, issued under the signature of the appropriate tribal official, that meets the requirements of subparagraph (B)(ii).

  This defines 'Indian tribe' and provides details on what constitutes a 'Native American tribal document'.

Action History

1. May 12, 2026

   Introduced in House

2. May 12, 2026

   Introduced in House

3. May 12, 2026

   Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Don Bacon · Cosponsor
• Teresa Leger Fernandez · Cosponsor
• Bradley Scott Schneider · Cosponsor
• Emily Randall · Cosponsor
• Melanie A. Stansbury · Cosponsor
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick · Cosponsor
• Chrissy Houlahan · Cosponsor
• Jahana Hayes · Cosponsor
• Sharice Davids · Primary

Subjects