Major Tribal Nation Cuts Ties with ICE Contracts After Outcry Over Subsidiary’s Multi-Million Dollar Deals
The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin found itself at the center of a national controversy this week, moving swiftly to sever ties with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after discovering one of its corporate subsidiaries had been awarded lucrative federal contracts. The Nation’s governing body made a clear break, adopting a resolution that bars all tribal entities from engaging in future agreements with the federal immigration agency.
The issue came to light when the Oneida Business Committee learned that a joint venture, Oneida-Stantec JV, LLC, secured two contracts with ICE totaling more than $6 million. The joint venture is a partnership between Oneida Environmental, a subsidiary of the tribally owned Oneida Engineering Science Construction Group, and an engineering firm.
The contracts themselves were for a range of professional services. One award, valued at $2.6 million, covered facility condition assessments and property inventory for ICE facilities over a three-year period. The other, a $3.9 million contract, was for construction and design quality assurance services on an ICE project located in El Paso, Texas.
The news quickly drew sharp criticism from tribal members and Native advocates across the country. Many opponents pointed to the stark contradiction between a sovereign tribal nation, whose ancestors were themselves subjected to government-forced removals and displacements, profiting from an agency associated with the detention and deportation of migrants.
Upon learning of the agreements, the Oneida Business Committee acted decisively. Tribal leaders stated they were unaware the joint venture had pursued the ICE work, and they immediately convened a meeting with the leadership of the Oneida Engineering Science Construction Group.
In a public statement, the Business Committee condemned the subsidiary’s actions and announced a clear shift in corporate policy. They emphasized that the joint venture’s involvement conflicted with the Nation’s core values, specifically referencing the commitment to the “Good Mind Principles” that guide their ethical and community responsibilities.
The resulting resolution explicitly requires all of the Nation’s divisions, entities, and tribal corporations to disengage from any future grants, agreements, or contracts involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Nation’s leaders stressed that this move was the necessary first step to ensure all business enterprises fully align with the values passed down through generations.
As Chairman Tehassi Hill put it, the resolution is an effort to provide clarity on the Nation’s expectations that its representatives and businesses “align with our core values.” The leadership is now exploring what other steps may be required to prevent any similar misalignment in the future.
This incident highlights the increasingly complex ethical and business landscape faced by tribally owned corporations as they pursue federal contracts. While such ventures are crucial for economic development and providing essential services to tribal citizens, the Oneida Nation’s swift action demonstrates a strong commitment to prioritizing its deeply held values over significant financial gain.