Congress finds that the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians is a subgroup of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; that many years ago, the Band was forced to migrate from its ancestral lands to what is now the State of Texas and the nation of Mexico; that, although many members of the band 1 meet the requirements for United States citizenship, some of them cannot prove that they are United States citizens; that, although the Band resides in the State of Texas, it owns no land there; that, because the Band owns no land in Texas, members of the Band are considered ineligible for services which the United States provides to other Indians who are members of federally recognized tribes because of their status as Indians except when the members of the Band are on or near the reservation of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; that members of the Band live under conditions that pose serious threats to their health; and that, because their culture is derived from three different cultures, they have unique needs including, especially, educational needs.
Congress therefore declares that the Band should be recognized by the United States; that the right of the members of the Band to pass and repass the borders of the United States should be clarified; that services which the United States provides to Indians because of their status as Indians should be provided to members of the Band in Maverick County, Texas; and, that land in the State of Texas should be taken in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Band.
(Pub. L. 97–429, §2, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2269.)
Section 1 of Pub. L. 97–429 provided: “That this Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the ‘Texas Band of Kickapoo Act’.”
1 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
For purposes of this subchapter—
(a) “Band” means the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians, a subgroup of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma;
(b) “Tribe” means the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; and
(c) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.
(Pub. L. 97–429, §3, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2269.)
Within one year of January 8, 1983, the Secretary shall, after consultation with the Tribe, compile a roll of those members of the Tribe who possess Kickapoo blood and who are also members of the Band. When said roll is complete, the Secretary shall immediately publish notice in the Federal Register stating that the roll has been completed. The Secretary shall ensure that the roll, once completed, is maintained and that it is current.
If the Secretary does not compile the roll within the period prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, he shall submit a report to Congress setting forth the reasons he did not do so.
For a period of five years after the publication of the Federal Register notice required under subsection (a) of this section, any member of the Band whose name appears on the roll compiled by the Secretary, may, at his option, apply for United States citizenship. Such application shall be made to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and, upon receipt of the application, citizenship shall promptly be granted to the applicant.
Notwithstanding the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.], all members of the Band shall be entitled to freely pass and repass the borders of the United States and to live and work in the United States.
(Pub. L. 97–429, §4, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2269.)
The Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in subsec. (d), is act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat. 163, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 12 (§1101 et seq.) of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of Title 8 and Tables.
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.
The Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], is hereby made applicable to the Band: Provided, however, That the Secretary is only authorized to exercise his authority under section 5 of that Act [25 U.S.C. 465] with respect to lands located in Maverick County, Texas.
The Secretary is authorized and directed to accept no more than one hundred acres of land in Maverick County, Texas which shall be offered for the benefit of the Band with the approval of the Tribe. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary under section 5 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 985) [25 U.S.C. 465].
(Pub. L. 97–429, §5, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2270.)
Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to subchapter V (§461 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.
The State of Texas shall exercise jurisdiction over civil causes of action and criminal offenses arising on the Band's trust lands in accordance with section 1360 of title 28 and section 1162 of title 18 as if it had assumed jurisdiction pursuant to sections 1321 and 1322 of this title. The provisions of section 1323 of this title, shall be applicable and available to the State of Texas.
(Pub. L. 97–429, §6, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2270.)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law authorizing the provision of special programs and services by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians, the Band and its members in Maverick County, Texas shall be eligible for such programs and services without regard to the existence of a reservation, the residence of members of the Band on or near a reservation, or the compilation of the roll pursuant to section 1300b–13(a) of this title.
In providing services pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary and the head of each department and agency shall consult and cooperate with appropriate officials or agencies of the Mexican Government to the greatest extent possible to ensure that such services meet the special tricultural needs of the Band and its members. Such consultation and cooperation may include, whenever practicable, joint funding agreements between such agency or department of the United States and the appropriate agencies and officials of the Mexican Government.
(Pub. L. 97–429, §7, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2270.)