Tigua Tribe implements border controls after losing gaming case

Friday, July 1, 2016

The Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo owns and operates the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, Texas. Photo from Facebook

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The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, also known as the Tigua Tribe, is tightening up its borders after losing a gaming case.

Members of the media, law enforcement personnel and government officials must request permission from the tribe before entering the reservation, according to news reports. Those who do not comply risk a fine of up to $2,000.

"As an Indian tribe, the pueblo is vested with inherent sovereign power to remove or exclude from the limits of its reservation non-members of the tribe,” Tigua Gov. Carlos Hisa said in a letter to The El Paso Times.

The move comes after a federal judge ordered the tribe to remove certain devices from the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center. The state of Texas had sent law enforcement personnel and other officials to the facility to investigate the machines and the information they gathered was submitted as part of the litigation.

The Obama administration has concluded that the tribe can offer Class II games at Speaking Rock but Judge Kathleen Cardone has refused to accept that interpretation. In a 54-page ruling, she said she was bound by court precedents that limit the tribe's gaming rights.

Get the Story:
Media, law enforcement, and government employees now need permission to enter Tigua reservation (ABC-7 6/30)
Tiguas: Police must get OK to enter tribal land (The El Paso Times 7/1) $P Relevant Documents:
National Indian Gaming Commission Letter to Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (October 5, 2015)
Office of The Solicitor Letter to National Indian Gaming Commission (September 10, 2015)