ORONO — Leaders of the Penobscot Nation are urging members to carry their tribal identification cards with them amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and national reports of Native Americans being questioned by immigration officers.

In a letter to the community Wednesday, Chief Kirk Francis said they were “not aware of any of our tribal citizens being stopped but have heard of instances in other tribes. We encourage all Tribal citizens to carry [their] Tribal IDs, as we understand that Tribal IDs [are] sufficient proof of citizenship”

Spectrum News reached out to the Wabanaki Alliance to find out if other Maine tribes are issuing similar directives. 

Francis said the Penobscot Nation is working closely with lawyers and consultants to determine whether any of the orders would impact their government, tribal members or services. 

Francis also said members should contact the tribal office if they need a new ID or run into any issues.

In his letter, Francis also initially provided a reaction to Trump’s federal funding freeze order, writing that the Penobscot Nation was “working with [its] program directors, lawyers, consultants and Congressional Members to obtain clarification that all federal programs designed for Tribal governments are exempt from any funding freeze.”

However, in an update following the news that the White House had rescinded the freeze order, Francis wrote that there was “no threat at the moment.”

Francis said the Penobscot Nation will continue to monitor the issue.