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Sacramento Gurdwara joins lawsuit against DHS
Earlier this year, DHS officials reportedly entered some Gurdwaras in NY and NJ in search of undocumented immigrants sparking community outrage.
Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento stated that DHS’s decision has had an “immediate chilling effect on worship and fellowship." / Gurdwara Sahib, West Sacramento.
Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento has joined a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) policy change that could allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at places of worship.
The amended lawsuit, filed this week by Democracy Forward (DF), argues that the policy shift threatens religious freedom and creates fear among immigrant communities.
It comes after instances of DHS officials reportedly entering some Gurdwaras in search of undocumented immigrants. Sikh groups, including NAPA and SALDEF, condemned the raids at Gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey, calling them a threat to religious freedom.
The Trump administration announced in January that it would rescind a 2011 directive that prohibited immigration enforcement actions in "sensitive locations," including houses of worship, schools, and hospitals. DHS officials stated Jan.21 that the change would prevent "so-called sensitive areas" from becoming havens for undocumented immigrants.
The Sikh Coalition, which collaborated with DF on the case, connected the legal team with gurdwaras nationwide, ultimately leading to Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento signing on as an additional plaintiff. The amended complaint also includes the cooperative baptist fellowship, a religious network representing Baptist churches, individuals, and partners.
In its declaration for the lawsuit, Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento stated that DHS’s decision has had an “immediate chilling effect on worship and fellowship,” adding that the “threat of that activity impedes Sikhs’ ability to carry out essential religious practices.”
Sikh Coalition executive director Harman Singh emphasized the widespread concern within the Sikh community. “Regardless of differing political views, almost everyone in our sangat can agree: Armed agents should not be barging into our gurdwarae or spreading fear amongst our sangat,” Singh said.
“We are thankful to our allies at Democracy Forward for bringing forth this critical lawsuit, and we greatly appreciate Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento for stepping forward as a voice for the many Sikhs across the nation who are opposed to this policy,” Singh added.
The lawsuit was initially filed by several Quaker Christian meetings before its expansion to include additional religious organizations.
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