Members of the Cayuga Nation at a community gathering in June 2010. Photo from Ithaca College

The Cayuga Nation is welcoming a federal appeals court decision that protects its sovereign immunity.

The tribe sued Seneca County to stop foreclosure proceedings on properties that are not held in trust. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the county can't go after the tribe for non-payment of taxes.

“The sovereignty Indian nations enjoy is our most precious right,” Clint Halftown, the tribe's representative, said in a press release, according to news reports. “This decision is another affirmation of that right.”

The tribe reportedly owes more than $1 million in property taxes.

Get the Story:
Appeals Court backs Cayuga Indian Nation in foreclosure case (The Finger Lake Times 8/1)
Federal appeals court rules Cayuga Nation properties can't be subject to foreclosure (The Auburn Citizen 8/1)

2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. Seneca County (July 31, 2014)

Related Stories:
2nd Circuit protects Cayuga Nation from foreclosure proceeding (7/31)
2nd Circuit holds hearing in Cayuga Nation foreclosure case (01/08)
Opinion: Reject Cayuga Nation's land-into-trust application (1/6)
2nd Circuit schedules hearing in Cayuga Nation foreclosure (06/27)
Bill requires state to pay Cayuga Nation property tax bill (5/16)
Cayuga Nation wins decision on foreclosure of non-trust land (8/22)