ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its efforts to address the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP), aligning with the national recognition of May 5 as MMIP Awareness Day.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and various federal officials underscored their commitment to tackling not only MMIP issues but also related public safety challenges such as human trafficking and the fentanyl crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
During a speech marking MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Garland expressed the Department's dedication to enhancing safety and justice for Tribal communities. 'Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis,' Garland stated.
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Alexander M.M. Uballez, emphasized the Department's resolve to bring justice to grieving Tribal communities through urgent, transparent, and coordinated efforts. “By listening to the needs of our Indigenous neighbors and taking concrete steps to address this crisis, from investigations and prosecutions to enhancing training and outreach, we will meet the case of each missing and murdered indigenous person with urgency,” said Uballez.
Strengthened Regional Support and Coordination In July last year, the Justice Department announced the establishment of the MMIP Regional Outreach Program. This initiative has strategically placed ten attorneys and coordinators across five U.S. regions — Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast — to enhance the prevention and response efforts regarding MMIP cases. In the Southwest Region, for example, Eliot Neal from the District of New Mexico will join forces with key figures from the District of Arizona to participate in MMIP Awareness events in Phoenix.
This program aligns with Deputy Attorney General’s directive promoting public safety in Indian country and is consistent with Executive Order 14053, which focuses on improving public safety and criminal justice for Native Americans.
Federal Response to the Not Invisible Act Commission
In March, the Justice Department, along with the Department of the Interior, issued a joint response to the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC). This comprehensive approach aims to tackle not only MMIP issues but also the broader public safety challenges, including substance and drug abuse, that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities.
Combating the Fentanyl Crisis
The Departments are also actively addressing the fentanyl crisis, which has significantly impacted Indian country, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceed the national average. This includes ramping up partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement to mitigate this urgent health threat.
Enhancing Tribal Justice
and Law Enforcement
The Justice Department has allocated $268 million in grants over the past year to enhance Tribal justice systems. These funds support various initiatives, including improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities.
For further details on these initiatives, the public is encouraged to visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website, which provides resources and ongoing updates about the Department’s efforts to combat this pressing crisis.