The Bureau of Indian Affairs says the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians of California can't remove about 80 members from the rolls.

The tribe has been trying to remove the descendants of the late Marcus R. Alto Sr. But the BIA, which has authority over San Pasqual membership matters, rejected the request.

“It is inappropriate for the Committee to continue to raise this issue of the validity of the inclusion of Mr. Alto and his descendants on the Band's membership roll or to attempt to disenroll his descendants and to continue to seek remedy from the BIA,” regional director Dale Morris wrote in a letter to the tribe, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Morris said the tribe can appeal to BIA officials in Washington. Ron Mast, a tribal member who is pushing for the removal of Alto's descendants, wants to go to court to challenge the decision.

Get the Story:
Feds halt ouster of San Pasqual tribal members (The North County Times 12/2)
Tribal members' expulsion rejected (The San Diego Union-Tribune 12/2)

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