The U.S. Supreme Court hasn't added any new Indian law cases to its docket but Madison County hopes its foreclosure case against the Oneida Nation will be one of them.

In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that the tribe must go through the land-into-process before asserting sovereignty on land it acquired in two counties. Following the decision, the tribe filed an application for 17,000 acres in Madison County and Oneida County.

While the Bureau of Indian Affairs was reviewing the application, the counties foreclosed on the tribe' for failing to pay property taxes. But in a decision issued in April, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals said the tribe was protected by sovereign immunity.

The counties appealed and the Supreme Court will consider their petition in Madison County v. Oneida Indian Nation on October 8.

Get the Story:
Madison County Supervisors briefed on Oneida Indian Nation-related court activity (The Oneida Dispatch 9/28)

2nd Circuit Decision:
Oneida Nation v. Madison County and Oneida County (April 27, 2010)

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

Related Stories:
Opinion: Supreme Court asked to clarify Oneida Nation land issues (8/3)
Oneida Nation foes anticipate a review by Supreme Court (4/28)
2nd Circuit blocks foreclosure suits against Oneida Nation (4/27