A. When Does ICWA Apply?
ICWA applies to any “child custody proceeding” involving an “Indian child,” if the court "knows or has reason to know that an Indian child is involved.” 25 U.S.C. § 1912(a).
A suit seeking foster care placement, termination of parental rights, pre-adoptive or an adoptive placement is subject to ICWA. ICWA does not apply to most juvenile delinquency actions; nor does it apply to custody actions in divorce or separation proceedings (unless custody may be awarded to a non-parent).
The Regulations clarify ICWA applies to a voluntary proceeding that could prohibit the parent or Indian custodian from regaining custody of the child…" 25 C.F.R. § 23.103(a)(1)(ii) and (4). This does not include voluntary placement made without threat of removal by a state agency, if a parent or Indian custodian may regain custody on demand. If a parent or Indian custodian consents to voluntary foster care placement, that consent can be withdrawn at any time by filing a written document or testifying in court. 25 C.F.R. § 23.127.
An Indian child is an unmarried person under age 18 who is either a member of an Indian tribe or eligible for membership and the biological child of a member. 25 U.S.C. § 1903(4). An Indian tribe includes any of the more than 500 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. If DFPS becomes involved with an Indian child associated with any of these tribes, ICWA may apply.
There are also three federally recognized tribes with reservations in Texas:
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, also known as the Tigua, in El Paso;
Kickapoo Tribe of Texas, in Eagle Pass; and
Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas near Livingston.
DFPS enjoys a good working relationship with each of these tribes. Children who reside on one of these reservations have specific legal protections (see Tribal and State Jurisdiction section below) and, in some cases, DFPS and the Tribe have agreed to a written protocol for handling these cases.
3. Reason to Know
A court has reason to know a child is an Indian child:
• If any party, tribe or agency informs the agency or court that the child is an Indian child;
• Any participant, officer of the court or agency involved in the proceedings informs the court it has discovered such information;
• The child gives the court reason to know he or she is an Indian child;
• The domicile or residence of the child, parent or Indian custodian is on a reservation;
• The court is informed the child is or has been a ward of a Tribal court; or
• The court is informed either parent or the child has a Tribal membership card. 25 C.F.R. § 23.107(c).
4. How Are Possible Indian Children Identified?
A common reason for failure to comply with ICWA is the failure to identify children subject the ICWA. Two important changes are designed to remedy this problem:
As of September 1, 2015, the Family Code required Texas courts to ask the parties at the Adversary, the Status and at each Permanency Hearing: whether the child or child's family has Native American heritage and the identity of any Native American tribe the child may be associated with. Tex. Fam. Code § 262.201(f), Tex. Fam. Code § 263.202(f-1), and Tex. Fam. Code § 263.306 (a-1)(3).
The Regulations now require that the state court judge ask each participant at the commencement of the proceedings whether the person knows or has reason to know the child is an Indian child and to instruct the parties to inform the court of any such information that arises later. 25 C.F.R. § 23.107(a).
By far the most significant impact of failing to identify an ICWA case is that if key ICWA provisions are violated, a final order can be invalidated. The remedy for violation of key ICWA provisions is a petition to invalidate. 25 U.S.C. § 1914. Similarly, if there is not sufficient information in the record to assess whether ICWA applies, an appeal can be abated. Either way, permanency is delayed.
Special Issue: If any parent or family member's response suggests an Indian child may be involved in a DFPS case, document as much information as possible about the family history, because this information is often vital to a tribe's ability to verify a child or parent's membership status. If all family members deny any tribal family history, this should be documented. If there is any information to suggest a tribal association, by giving the tribe notice and following up as necessary to verify a child's status you can eliminate a potentially devastating delay that can undermine permanency. |