The National Indian Child Welfare Association wants to know why you #DefendICWA. Photo from NICWA
Opponents of the Indian Child Welfare Act plan to take another high-profile dispute to the U.S. Supreme Court. The courts in California have determined that the 1978 law applies to a Choctaw Nation girl who has been placed with relatives in Utah. But a non-Indian couple -- aided by an attorney who has tried to weaken ICWA -- has insisted on fighting. The battle will continue after the California Supreme Court on Thursday refused to review the girl's placement. The non-Indian couple quickly vowed an appeal. "ICWA is a federal statute, and the case raises federal constitutional issues that are best addressed by the US Supreme Court," the couple wrote in a post on Facebook. The couple is being represented by attorney Lori Alvino McGill. She previously represented the non-Indian biological mother in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, a high-profile case that went before the Supreme Court and resulted in a Cherokee Nation girl being removed from the custody of her Cherokee father. There is no guarantee that the Supreme Court will agree to hear the case involving the Choctaw Nation girl. The court is still without a full slate of justices and the remaining eight appear unwilling to take on disputes that could result in ties. Adoptive Couple was decided by a 5-4 vote in June 2013 and without a ninth justice, the court could conceivably deadlock on a future ICWA case. The Supreme Court petition process, however, typically takes a few months to resolve. So by the time the Choctaw Nation case is ready for consideration, the court could conceivably have a ninth justice. California Court of Appeal Decision:
In re Alexandria P., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law (July 8, 2016) Earlier California Court of Appeal Decision:
In re Alexandria P., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law (August 15, 2014) Bureau of Indian Affairs Final Indian Child Welfare Act Rule:
Final Rule: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Proceedings | Final Rule: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Frequently Asked Questions | Dear Tribal Leader Letter | Dear State Governor Letter Federal Register Notices for Indian Child Welfare Act:
Regulations for State Courts and Agencies in Indian Child Custody Proceedings (March 30, 2015)
Guidelines for State Courts and Agencies in Indian Child Custody Proceedings (February 25, 2015)
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