NAPA and SALDEF logo / Courtesy Photo/Website- saldef.org

The Sikh community has strongly condemned the recent crackdowns led by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), at Gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey areas.

On Jan.27, the DHS officials reportedly visited some Gurdwaras in search of undocumented immigrants. This action did not go down well with the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) in Milpitas, California.

Santnam Singh Chahal, executive director of NAPA, expressed deep concern, stating, “These actions are deeply troubling and have hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. Gurdwaras are sacred places of worship dedicated to God and community service, not places to hide illegal immigrants. Raids in these spaces undermine their sanctity and create an atmosphere of fear and distrust.”

Gurdwaras serve not only as places of worship but also as vital hubs for community support, offering free meals (langar) and assistance to people from all walks of life, regardless of their background. The Sikh community has strongly opposed the Trump Administration's directive to search for undocumented immigrants, viewing it as a threat to the sanctity of their faith.

In response, NAPA has urged the Trump administration and DHS to refrain from conducting such enforcement actions at Gurdwaras in the future.

Santnam Singh Chahal / Courtesy Photo

Chahal emphasized the significance of the Sikh community, stating, “The Sikh community is an integral part of American society, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic, cultural, and social development.” He further added, “Actions like these risk alienating a community that has always been dedicated to upholding the values of inclusivity, hard work, and unity.”

NAPA has called on DHS to adopt a different approach that respects religious freedom and builds trust within communities. Rather than targeting places of worship, the organization suggests engaging in dialogue with Sikh community leaders to foster mutual understanding and collaboration.

In a strong-worded statement, Chahal said, “As Americans, we must uphold the principles of religious freedom and respect for all faiths. We hope the administration will reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement and avoid actions that harm the sentiments of any religious group.”

SALDEF slams DHS raids on “sensitive areas”

Similarly, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) also expressed concerns over the recent decision to revoke guidelines that had previously restricted immigration enforcement in “sensitive areas,” including places of worship.

Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF, voiced her alarm, stating, “We are deeply disturbed by the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to eliminate protections for sensitive areas and then target places of worship like gurdwaras.”

SALDEF, located in Washington, DC, is a Sikh-American civil rights organization dedicated to protecting civil rights and ensuring equal opportunities for Sikh Americans.

Gill emphasized the importance of Gurdwaras, saying, “Gurdwaras are not just places of worship; they are vital community centers that provide support, nourishment, and spiritual solace to Sikhs and the broader community. Targeting these spaces for enforcement actions threatens the sanctity of our faith and sends a chilling message to immigrant communities nationwide.”

The rescinded guidelines had protected spaces like Gurdwaras, churches, mosques, and schools from enforcement actions to maintain trust with immigrant communities. 

SALDEF opposes any policies that undermine these protections and urges DHS to reverse the directive. The organization also encourages reporting any enforcement actions at places of worship and remains committed to holding DHS accountable to the law and fundamental rights.

Gill further advised, “We encourage members of the Sikh community to remain vigilant and report any DHS activity at gurdwaras to SALDEF.” 

Offering hope and strength to the community, Gill concluded, “We are committed to advocating for policies that respect the civil rights and religious freedoms of all communities, and we will continue to push DHS to act in alignment with these values.”