Sikh advocacy group in US working to ensure due legal process for asylum seekers from India

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), a Sikh American civil rights organisation, has expressed concerns over reports of raids by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deportations of Indian and Sikh youths. Even as

SALDEF

has thoroughly investigated earlier reports regarding alleged presence of ICE staff at gurdwaras in the New York and New Jersey areas and found on review that no raids or enforcement actions were conducted at these locations; the leadership of the organisation has cautioned members of the community to remain vigilant and practice caution in ‘these uncertain times’.
“It is distressing to see visuals of members of the Sikh community being deported to India in handcuffs and shackles. There are many members of the community who are asylum seekers having arrived in the US because they faced

religious persecution

. We will continue to remain vigilant and ensure that due process and fair legal review is followed before deportations of Sikh asylum seekers. We are working, along with other advocacy groups, to ensure fair and humane processes for

Sikh asylum seekers

,” Jaslin Kaur, senior manager of community outreach and engagement of SALDEF, told the Times of India.
Kaur, who has been actively leading on-the-ground efforts of SALDEF, also said that through its advocacy efforts, the organisation was helping immigrants understand their rights, especially considering the immigration crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump. “No matter what the immigration status; people have the right to remain silent and if ICE officials are at their door, they don’t always have to let them enter their homes. The enforcement agency only has the right to go inside homes if there is a judicial arrest warrant, signed by a judge,” Kaur said.
The organisation is also highlighting the issue of safety of gurdwaras and religious congregations and the importance of not allowing fear to undermine the sanctity of the sacred spaces that serve as spiritual and cultural sanctuaries for Sikh Americans. “Our role is to stand with the Sikh community and ensure transparency and accountability when concerns arise,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of SALDEF who has held the position of chair of the US department of homeland security’s faith based security advisory council (FBSAC). “We remain dedicated to protecting the rights of Sikh Americans and providing guidance and support to ensure they are able to practice their religion freely.”

An important aspect of SALDEF’s mission is to counter hate and violent extremism that threaten minority and marginalised communities in the US. “We support victims of racist attacks and hate crimes and violence; discrimination at the workplace, and racism on social media and digital platforms,” Jaslin Kaur said. Sikh American victims are encouraged to report such incidents to law enforcement agencies and help SALDEF collect data.
“Hate crimes and violence against members of the community have increased over the past few months especially in some areas near gurdwaras, with large Sikh American populations, such as Richmond Hill and Queens in New York,” Kaur said. She herself spends time on weekends volunteering at gurdwaras, meeting community members and leaders, and interacting with them one-on-one. “Our members across America also volunteer to support the

Sikh American community

and help provide legal referrals to victims of hate attacks and workplace discrimination, and on immigration issues,” Kaur said.