Gurdwaras targeted: Sikh organizations slam Trump administration over immigration raids

World news: Immigration enforcement officials from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted visits to gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey on Sunday, reportedly to search for undocumented immigrants. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organizations and community leaders, who see the actions as an attack on religious sanctity.

Trump administration’s immigration policies under fire

The Trump administration has intensified its crackdown on undocumented immigrants, often referring to them as “illegal aliens.” A DHS spokesperson defended these actions, stating, “This empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murderers and rapists—who have illegally come into our country.” The spokesperson added, “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Earlier policies from the Biden administration restricted immigration enforcement near “sensitive” areas such as places of worship, schools, and hospitals. However, these guidelines were rescinded by the Trump administration, allowing law enforcement agencies to target even religious spaces like gurdwaras.

Sikh organizations voice concerns

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) condemned the policy change, expressing grave concerns over the visits to gurdwaras. Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of SALDEF, said, “We are deeply alarmed by the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to eliminate protections for sensitive areas and then target places of worship like gurdwaras.”

Gill further stated that the new policy “threatens the sanctity of the Sikh faith” and sends a chilling message to immigrant communities. She added, “This troubling shift in policy comes in tandem with reports of DHS agents visiting gurdwaras in the New York and New Jersey areas just days after the directive was issued.”

Impact on Sikh religious practices

The Sikh Coalition also raised concerns, emphasizing that such raids could deter Sikhs—both documented and undocumented—from attending gurdwaras, thereby disrupting essential religious practices. “The idea that our gurdwaras could be subject to government surveillance and raids by armed law enforcement is unacceptable to the Sikh faith tradition,” the coalition stated.

The Coalition warned that this could lead to decreased attendance at gurdwaras, impacting the ability of Sikhs to gather and worship freely.