November 15, 2019 – Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the new court case that again questions the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The federal law, passed in 1978, mandates priority placement of Native American children up for adoption within a Native community. The law was created to counteract the historical practice of removing Native American children from their tribe and family and placing them in a non-Indian family or institution.
Line Panelists:
Justine Fox-Young, former NM state representative
Sophie Martin, attorney
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
For Further Reading:
Court to Rehear Law on Adoptions of Native American Children – Associated Press
The New War on The Indian Child Welfare Act – Political Research Associates
Tribal families get priority in Native American adoptions. An appeals court will decide whether that’s fair. – The Washington Post
Federal Judge in Texas Strikes Down Indian Child Welfare Act – The Texas Tribune
Related: As Supreme Court Considers DACA, Protesters Spotlight Adoptees Who Face Deportation –NBC News
