Maipuri News Report: Indigenous Leader Files Alien Tort Statute Claim in Federal Court
Tushkahumoc Xelup, Director General of the Maipuri Arauan Nation, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau, the Department of Interior, and various officials, alleging violations of international human rights laws. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims that Xelup's identity as an indigenous person has been systematically oppressed through environmental racism, forced identity, and official oppression.
The case invokes the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), a law that allows foreign nationals to bring lawsuits in U.S. courts for international law violations. Xelup asserts that the U.S. government's failure to correct his identity records, despite a 2015 Inspector General’s ruling in his favor, has led to continued human rights violations. This includes forced racial designation and the denial of indigenous rights as a representative of the Maipuri Arauan Nation.
The complaint also highlights how these actions have restricted Xelup's ability to fulfill his role as a Plenipotentiary for the Maipuri Arauan Nation, negatively impacting indigenous tribes across the Americas. Xelup demands that the U.S. government make the necessary adjustments to his identity records and seeks compensation for the years of identity fraud.
Additionally, Xelup alleges that various government agencies have violated his right to movement, including incidents of being barred from traveling freely within U.S. territories. He also cites attempts to assist indigenous tribal members in legal matters, which were obstructed by judicial and governmental officials.
The lawsuit seeks redress for the ongoing violations and calls for the development of policies that reflect the rights of indigenous people, as mandated by international and federal law. Xelup’s claims aim to establish protections for the Maipuri Arauan Nation's indigenous citizens and address broader issues of environmental justice and human rights.
The case underscores the struggles indigenous groups face in asserting their rights within U.S. territories and highlights the continued tensions between federal authorities and indigenous sovereignty.
Indigenous Leader Files Alien Tort Statute Claim in Federal Court
I am proud of Tushkahumoc Xelup for standing up for the rights of indigenous people. He is a tireless advocate, and his fight against injustice is a testament to his character. I know that one must be about business when dealing with people who don’t have your best interests at heart.