**Native American Woman Nearly Transferred to ICE Custody Due to Wrongful Detainer in Iowa Jail**

A Native American woman was reportedly nearly turned over to federal immigration authorities after a wrongful ICE detainer was issued by an Iowa jail. Leticia Jacobo, a 24-year-old member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona, was held past her release date when the detainer was mistakenly applied to her case, according to the Arizona Mirror. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

### Why It Matters

Immigration authorities have faced increased scrutiny over allegations of racial profiling. Indigenous advocates have raised concerns about Native Americans being mistakenly flagged for immigration enforcement, especially as the Trump administration pursues an aggressive mass-deportation policy.

### What You Need to Know

Jacobo was booked into the Polk County Jail in Des Moines, Iowa, where she lives. Her mother immediately raised concerns, noting that her daughter was born in Phoenix and is a U.S. citizen. She questioned why an immigration detainer would apply to a Native American tribal member, as reported by the Arizona Mirror.

To prevent Jacobo’s transfer, her mother brought her birth certificate to the jail and waited on-site, while her aunts contacted tribal leaders for support.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Chance told the Arizona Mirror that the ICE detainer was issued in error. The detainer had been intended for a different person booked at the jail at the same time but was incorrectly assigned to Jacobo’s records.

Polk County Jail participates in the 287(g) program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This program allows certain local police officers and sheriff’s deputies to carry out specific immigration enforcement tasks in coordination with ICE. Deputies trained under the program can verify citizenship status, compare biographic information against federal databases, and prepare immigration-related paperwork. They can also issue ICE detainers, which permit a person in custody to be held for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so ICE can take custody.

The program is intended to support federal immigration enforcement by providing additional local resources.

### Allegations of Racial Profiling

Jacobo’s aunt told the Arizona Mirror that her niece had been subjected to discrimination. Noting that Jacobo had previously been booked at the same facility and that her tribal membership was clearly documented, she said:

> “I do want to say that it’s racial profiling because she’s been there before, they have a rap sheet on her—why would they make a mistake with someone that’s constantly coming in?”

Maria Nunez, Jacobo’s sister, shared her concerns as well:

> “My sister said, ‘How is she going to get deported if she’s a Native American?’ and ‘We have proof.’”

She added:

> “They said, ‘Well, we don’t know because we’re not immigration and we can’t answer those questions. We’re just holding her for them. So, when they pick her up tonight they’re going to go ahead and deport her to wherever they’re going to take her, but we have no information on that.’”

### Official Response

Mark Chance, spokesman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, described the incident as human error:

> “It was human error, but I’m sure as soon as the command staff find out about it, they’re going to have some meetings with their supervisors internally and be like, ‘Hey, guys, we gotta keep our thumb on this, this is silly.’”

### What Happens Next

According to the Arizona Mirror, Jacobo’s family is considering taking legal action in response to the wrongful detainer and detention.

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This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding racial profiling and the misapplication of immigration enforcement policies, particularly involving Native American communities.
https://www.newsweek.com/ice-almost-deports-native-american-11046193