An oversight group, launched five years ago, outlined a myriad of ways Congress could better protect Indigenous people from going missing, getting killed or falling prey to human traffickers, with particular focus on tackling gender-based violence. Among the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission were specific protections for foster youth, who end up lost […]
The Imprint
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Lawsuit Alleges Humboldt, California Unfairly Denied Foster Care Benefits
A recently filed lawsuit accuses Humboldt County and the state’s Department of Social Services of unfairly denying Native American youth access to extended foster care benefits, designed as a lifeline for young adults ages 18, 19 and 20 who’ve been raised in government care. The plaintiffs include tribal citizen and former foster youth Madison Fisher, […]
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SCOTUS Probes Constitutionality of Indian Child Welfare Act
In an hours-long Nov. 9 hearing, the U.S. Supreme Court pressed attorneys about whether a 44-year-old law to shield Indigenous children and families from unjust separations goes beyond the power of Congress to regulate federally recognized tribes. The Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA, was passed by Congress and became law at a time when as […]
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Fate of Indian Child Welfare Before the Supreme Court
Most child welfare cases wrestle over issues of best interest and well-being. But when the U.S. Supreme Court hears an upcoming legal challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act this week, three central constitutional questions will be in play. The questions challenge core aspects of Congressional power and the relationship between tribes and the U.S. government: Do […]