ACTION ALERT: URGENT—Federal Layoffs Devastating Tribal Programs Are Happening TODAY, According to ICT News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear Advocates,
We need your immediate action—federal layoffs targeting essential tribal programs have begun TODAY, and the impacts will be catastrophic for Indian Country. According to ICT News, thousands of workers could be affected in health, education and other programs across Indian Country. The news reports that Trump administration has started laying off thousands of federal employees, threatening vital healthcare, education, law enforcement, and social services across tribal communities.
What’s Happening Right Now?
Mass Layoffs Underway: According to ICT News, the Trump administration has started laying off thousands of federal workers, including over 850 Indian Health Service (IHS) employees—doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and more.
Critical Services at Risk: Tribal healthcare facilities, schools, and public safety programs are losing essential staff. Communities that rely on these services will face immediate disruptions.
Trust Obligations:These layoffs will severely impact the federal government’s ability to fulfill the trust responsibility to Tribes and Native people.
According to ICT, the layoffs, targeted at probationary workers hired within the last year or two, are expected to impact programs at the Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and more. If no action is taken immediately, tribal communities will lose life-saving healthcare, childcare services, emergency response capabilities, educational support, and justice services.
Why This Is an Emergency
According to ICT, the layoffs are happening NOW. Without swift intervention from Congress, these cuts will send shockwaves through Indian Country.
How You Can Help—Act Now!
- Contact Congress Immediately: Call or email your representatives TODAY to demand they stop these layoffs and protect tribal programs.
- Spread the Word: Share this alert widely on social media to raise awareness about this urgent issue.
Sample Email to Your Representative:
Dear Representative [NAME],
I am writing with urgency as federal layoffs devastating tribal programs have already begun today. These cuts threaten the health and safety of Indian Country by targeting critical services such as healthcare, education, law enforcement, and social services.
According to ICT, over 850 Indian Health Service employees—including doctors and nurses—are being terminated right now, leaving tribal communities without access to essential care. These layoffs violate the U.S. government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations and put lives at risk.
I urge you to take immediate action to stop these harmful layoffs and ensure that tribal programs are protected from further cuts. Please act now to uphold the federal government’s legal obligations to Indian Country.
Thank you for your swift attention to this urgent matter.
Additional information: https://ictnews.org/news/abrupt-federal-layoffs-expected-to-hit-tribal-programs
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Time Is Running Out—Contact Congress Now!
These layoffs are happening as we speak—your voice can make a difference in protecting tribal communities from devastating harm. Let’s stand together to demand action before it’s too late!
Find Your Members of Congress
Use this link to find your members: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
About NCUIH
The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is a national representative for the 41 Urban Indian Organizations contracting with the Indian Health Service under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. NCUIH is devoted to the support and development of high quality and accessible health and public health services for American Indian and Alaska Native people living in urban areas.
NCUIH respects and supports Tribal sovereignty and the unique government-to-government relationship between our Tribal Nations and the United States. NCUIH works to support those federal laws, policies, and procedures that respect and uplift Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship. NCUIH does not support any federal law, policy, or procedure that infringes upon or in any way diminishes Tribal sovereignty or the government-to-government relationship.
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NCUIH Contact: Meredith Raimondi, Vice President of Policy and Communications, mraimondi@ncuih.org
