Media, law enforcement, and government employees now need permission to enter Tigua reservation
The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Council, which represents the Tigua tribal community, has passed an ordinance limiting access to the reservation for those who are not members of the tribe.
The move comes in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling last month that will force the Tiguas to eliminate sweepstakes gaming at its casino. Under Judge Kathleen Cardone’s ruling, the tribe has 60 days to remove its gaming devices or face fines of $100,000 a day.
According to the Tigua’s new ordinance, “Members of the media and those with connections to government agencies, specifically law enforcement agencies, may have access to Pueblo lands only by specific invitation or by obtaining permission.”
The tribe has argued the State of Texas entered its property to gather evidence against it, and the tribal governor admitted this is a way to keep state agents from operating without their knowledge.
Tigua Governor Carlos Hisa told ABC-7 the tribe’s council decided to put a “process that’s been in place for a long time” in writing. “We realized and (Judge Cardone) made us realize, that if it’s not in writing and we don’t inform the public, it doesn’t exist.”
If members of the media, local government, or a law enforcement agency enter the reservation without permission – even on unofficial business – they could be fined up to $2,000.
“This is very common for states or even cities or counties. Tribes have had a lot of problems across the country with media not realizing they have a sovereign government,” said Melissa Tatum, a law professor at the University of Arizona with 20 years experience in tribal affairs.
“For law enforcement, if they send undercover officers into the next county, they have to notify the police departments they are coming into their territory. This is no different,” Tatum said.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office told ABC-7 it could not comment about the new ordinance because of the lawsuit regarding the sweepstakes gaming.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the County Attorney are reviewing the new ordinance.
