Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
ALBUQUERQUE — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland visited New Mexico today to highlight the Biden-Harris administration's efforts in addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crises in Indian Country. The leaders were briefed by representatives of both Departments at the headquarters of the Interior Department’s Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) and held a listening session with the Eight Northern Pueblos, which include Nambé, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos, and Tesuque Pueblos.
“It was my honor to be home in New Mexico with Attorney General Garland today to share, listen and learn about how the federal government can continue to be an active partner in the fight to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking crises that have plagued Indian Country since colonization began,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Together, the Interior and Justice Departments have made significant progress during the Biden-Harris administration, but we must continue to do everything we can to ensure that investments, resources and attention are paid to this critical issue.”
“The Justice Department is committed to working with the Department of the Interior and with our Tribal partners to confront the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous persons and the scourge of human trafficking,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to Secretary Haaland for her extraordinary leadership and for her partnership in our urgent shared work to advance safety and security in Tribal communities and pursue justice for Native victims of crime.”
Under Secretary Haaland's leadership alongside Attorney General Garland’s guidance, several initiatives have been undertaken:
Missing and Murdered Unit: One of Secretary Haaland's first actions was creating a new MMU within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS). This unit pursues justice for missing or murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives by providing leadership for cross-departmental work. The MMU has expanded collaborative efforts with other agencies such as enhancing NamUs through partnerships with FBI units.
Law Enforcement Collaboration: In 2022 at the White House Tribal Nations Summit, an agreement between BIA-OJS and FBI was announced for effective criminal investigations in Indian Country. This includes cooperation on investigations, sharing information, establishing jurisdiction guidelines, and training law enforcement officers on trauma-informed approaches.
Access to Department of Justice Resources: Since 2021, over $732 million has been awarded by DOJ to enhance Tribal justice systems including $268 million last year alone. These funds support child abuse case handling improvements among other initiatives.
MMIP Regional Outreach Program: Launched in Summer 2023 by DOJ placing attorneys at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide aiming at preventing MMIP cases while investigating existing ones.
Not Invisible Act Commission: Created through legislation led by Secretary Haaland while she was in Congress; it provides recommendations on combating crimes against American Indians/Alaska Natives involving multiple stakeholders from various sectors holding field hearings across America.
Operation Not Forgotten: Established by FBI focusing resources on unresolved crimes against Tribal community members; partnered currently with MMU deploying special agents/intelligence personnel supporting operations initiated successfully back in 2023.
White House Council on Native American Affairs: President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 improving public safety/criminal justice for Native Americans addressing MMIP crisis directing multiple departments collaborating towards building safe healthy tribal communities further reinforced via Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act signed into law incorporating new provisions addressing MMIP epidemic reinforcing tribal sovereignty tackling violence epidemics within their lands/communities.
International Collaboration: United States collaborates internationally especially notable during September 2023 Canada chaired Fifth Convening Trilateral Working Group involving USA/Mexico focusing discussions around human trafficking/accessing justice continuing protection/upholding rights indigenous women implementing indigenous-led approaches preserving cultures/languages planning sixth gathering later this year.
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