MMIP Crisis Deepens: DOJ Stepped Up Efforts to Tackle Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons

The grim reality of missing and murdered indigenous persons continues to plague American Indian and Alaska Native communities, with no end in sight. In a desperate bid to tackle this crisis, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has strengthened its efforts, building partnerships with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as non-governmental organizations.

On May 5, the DOJ joined forces with partners across the federal government and the American Indian and Alaska Native communities to recognize National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. The event marked a call to action, with Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announcing stepped-up efforts to address the MMIP and human trafficking crisis.

“There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” Garland said. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain.”

The Eastern District of Wisconsin’s U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad echoed Garland’s sentiments, stating, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin is proud to work with all of our partners – federal, state, local, and tribal governments and non-governmental organizations – to do everything possible to prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people.”

The FBI, DEA, and other federal agencies have also pledged their support, with FBI Director Christopher Wray assuring, “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”

The DOJ’s efforts are focused on addressing the root causes of the crisis, including the fentanyl crisis, which has disproportionately affected Native American communities. As part of this effort, the DOJ has created the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people.

The program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. This initiative is part of the DOJ’s broader commitment to addressing the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous persons, as outlined in Executive Order 14053 and the Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons.

In Wisconsin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has resources dedicated to promoting safety and security on tribal lands and in tribal communities. The office has a Tribal Liaison who works closely with federal, state, and local partners to address the crisis and provide support to victims and their loved ones.

As the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous persons continues to unfold, the DOJ’s strengthened efforts provide a glimmer of hope for communities that have endured generations of violence and trauma. However, much work remains to be done to address the root causes of this crisis and to bring justice to those who have been harmed.