Within a few months, the Arizona Department of Transportation has already issued more than 10,400 IDs with a new insignia marking someone’s tribal identity. Enrolled members are eligible to apply for the voluntary symbol.
That law went into effect this January. The Grand Canyon State is home to the third-largest Indigenous population nationwide — making up roughly 5% of all residents in Arizona.
Democratic state House Rep. Myron Tsosie, who is Navajo, championed the measure that passed the Arizona statehouse last year.
His bipartisan bill also became a model for neighboring New Mexico, but state lawmakers failed to adopt that designation during this current legislative session.
The latest surge in ICE activity has largely targeted migrants — but reports have emerged about tribal citizens being targeted as well.
