WASHINGTON – While the numbers remain stubbornly grim, the Justice Department is throwing more weight behind efforts to locate missing and solve the murders of Indigenous people across the nation. The pledge came on May 5th, National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day, but critics say concrete results are still desperately needed.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, speaking from Washington, acknowledged the “persistently high levels of violence” endured by Tribal communities for generations. “There is still so much more to do,” Garland stated, adding that the Justice Department aims to “honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain.” He stressed the need for partnership, stating Tribal communities “deserve safety, and they deserve justice.”
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, handling cases in New Mexico, echoed that sentiment. “The loss of any one is a loss to us all,” he said. “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing justice and answers to grieving Tribal communities.” Uballez highlighted a commitment to “urgency, transparency, and coordination” in every case. The FBI and DEA also issued statements vowing continued support. FBI Director Christopher Wray pledged unwavering commitment to addressing violence in Tribal communities, while DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized protecting communities from fentanyl and drug-related crime.
The DOJ’s renewed push includes the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, launched last July. The program permanently stations 10 attorneys and coordinators in five regions – Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast – to tackle the crisis. In the Southwest, MMIP AUSA Eliot Neal from the District of New Mexico will collaborate with counterparts in Arizona at events at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix. This initiative directly stems from a July 2022 directive from the Deputy Attorney General, pushing U.S. Attorney’s offices to prioritize public safety in Indian Country.
This program is also a response to Executive Order 14053, “Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People,” and the Federal Law Enforcement Strategy issued in July 2022. The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior are reportedly working in tandem, though details of that collaboration remain scarce. Advocates, however, insist that increased personnel and directives are only the first steps. Many demand deeper investment in preventative measures, culturally sensitive training for law enforcement, and increased funding for victim services.
The crisis isn’t just about law enforcement response; it’s intertwined with issues of systemic inequality, jurisdictional complexities, and historical trauma. While the DOJ touts its progress, the families of the missing and murdered are left waiting – and demanding more than just promises. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and hold the Justice Department accountable for delivering real results for these vulnerable communities.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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