Tribal Warrant Fairness Act is a long-overdue step toward justice for Native communities

As a member of the Nuwuvi (Chemehuevi Paiute), I have seen firsthand the challenges Tribal nations face in protecting our citizens and delivering justice for victims of crime. For too long, Tribal law enforcement agencies have been asked to do more with fewer resources, fewer tools and fewer authorities than their state, local and federal counterparts. As a result, Native communities are less safe and secure. It is why so many communities are dealing with a missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis that has led to disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearances and unsolved homicides affecting Native American, Alaska Native and First Nations communities.

Our families are left at risk, while violent offenders are left free to commit more crime.

That is why the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., is such an important and long-overdue step forward.

The bipartisan legislation, which just recently passed the Senate, would authorize the U.S. Marshals Service to assist Tribal law enforcement in locating and apprehending violent criminal suspects, and searching for missing children when Tribes request that help. Today, Tribal law enforcement agencies are often denied access to the same support that other law enforcement agencies receive from the U.S. Marshals Service, creating an unfair and dangerous gap in the justice system. The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act would help close that gap and ensure that Tribal communities have access to the resources necessary to protect our families while protecting their sovereignty at the same time.

This legislation is about fairness, but it is also about safety. Native communities continue to experience disproportionately high rates of violent crime, particularly against women and children. When a dangerous suspect flees across jurisdictions or when a child goes missing, every minute matters. Tribal law enforcement officers should not have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs because of outdated federal policies. They deserve the same tools and partnerships available elsewhere in America. The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act recognizes that reality and offers a real solution.

Cortez Masto deserves tremendous credit for making this issue a priority. For years, she has been one of the strongest advocates in Congress for Native communities in Nevada and across Indian Country. She helped pass the Not Invisible Act and Savanna’s Act, landmark laws designed to improve the federal response to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. She has repeatedly fought for stronger Tribal law enforcement resources, improved coordination among agencies and additional tools to help solve missing persons cases and protect Native women and children.

Importantly, the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act is not a standalone effort. It is part of Cortez Masto’s broader commitment to implementing recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission and addressing the systemic barriers that have hindered public safety in Indian Country for generations. From improving access to electronic evidence for Tribal courts to strengthening law enforcement recruitment and retention, she has consistently worked to ensure that Tribal governments are treated as true partners in the justice system.

It also builds on state-level efforts in Nevada to create a unified alert system that can rapidly notify the public when an Indigenous person goes missing. An MMIP Alert would close this gap by building on existing infrastructure and ensuring families and communities receive the swift response they deserve.

In a time when bipartisan cooperation can seem increasingly rare, it is encouraging to see Cortez Masto lead members from both parties to address a problem that should never have existed in the first place. Native communities are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment, equal protection and equal access to the tools necessary to keep our people safe.

The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act moves us closer to that goal. Congress should act quickly to pass this commonsense legislation. Our communities, our families and our future generations deserve nothing less.

Barb Hartzell is executive director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada and a member of the Nuwuvi tribe.