3/18/2025

ASHLAND - The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency has taken aim at the leases of Bureau of Indian Affairs offices across the country, directing the General Services Administration to terminate their leases. That closure order includes the office in Ashland. The lease for the Bureau of Indian Affairs office and regional hub of all 11 federally recognized tribes is expected to end in August. That office provides a number of services to Wisconsin’s Indian tribes, like law enforcement support, land to trust applications, and real estate management. The closure would force tribal members to have to travel much greater distances to access those services provided by the BIA. There are currently 40 workers employed at that office. Its unclear what will happen to the services provided by the BIA once the Ashland office is closed.