I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2314
To restore Federal Indian services to members of the Kickapoo Tribe of
Oklahoma residing in Maverick County, Texas, to clarify United States
citizenship status of such members, to provide trust land for the benefit
of the Tribe, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 30, 1997
Mr. WATKINS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Commit-
tee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned
A BILL
To restore Federal Indian services to members of the Kick-
apoo Tribe of Oklahoma residing in Maverick County,
Texas, to clarify United States citizenship status of such
members, to provide trust land for the benefit of the
Tribe, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Kickapoo Tribe of
Oklahoma Federal Indian Services Restoration Act of
1997’’.
SEC. 2. RESTORATION OF FEDERAL INDIAN SERVICES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the members of the Kickapoo Tribe of Okla-
homa residing in Texas shall be eligible for all Federal
services and benefits furnished to members of federally-
recognized tribes without regard to the existence of a res-
ervation for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma in Maverick
County, Texas. In the case of Federal services available
to members of federally-recognized tribes residing on or
near a reservation, the members of the Kickapoo Tribe
of Oklahoma residing in Texas shall be deemed to be resid-
ing on or near a reservation.
(b) COOPERATION WITH
THE MEXICAN GOVERN-
MENT.—In providing services pursuant to subsection (a),
the Secretary of the Interior (referred to hereafter in this
Act as the ‘‘Secretary’’) and the head of each department
and agency shall consult and cooperate with appropriate
officials or agencies of the Mexican Government to the
greatest extent possible to ensure that such services meet
the special tricultural needs of the members of the Kick-
apoo Tribe of Oklahoma residing in Texas. Such consulta-
tion and cooperation may include joint funding agree-
ments between such agency or department of the United
States and the appropriate agencies and officials of the
Mexican Government.
SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.
(a) APPLICATIONS
FOR CITIZENSHIP GRANTED.—
For a period of 3 years beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, any member of the Kickapoo Tribe of
Oklahoma residing in Texas may apply for United States
citizenship. Such application shall be made to the Immi-
gration and Naturalization Service and, upon receipt of
the application, citizenship promptly shall be granted to
the applicant.
(b) PASS
AND REPASS
OF BOARDERS.—Notwith-
standing the Immigration and Nationality Act, all mem-
bers of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma shall be entitled
to pass and repass freely the borders of the United States
and to live and work in the United States.
SEC. 4. LAND ACQUISITION.
(a) 45 ACRES.—Pursuant to section 5 of the Act of
June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 465), the Secretary shall accept
at least 45 acres of land held in fee by the Kickapoo Tribe
of Oklahoma in Maverick County, Texas, to be held in
trust for the benefit of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma.
(b) ADDITIONAL LAND.—Pursuant to land acquisi-
tion authority under the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C.
461 et seq.), the Secretary shall accept in trust for the
benefit of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma any additional
land in Maverick County, Texas, acquired by the Kickapoo
Tribe of Oklahoma.
(c) NO LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this
section shall be construed as limiting the authority of the
Secretary under section 5 of the Act of June 18, 1934
(48 Stat. 985).
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