New York, January 27: In the wake of intensified deportation measures under former US President Donald Trump’s administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated inspections at gurudwaras in New York and New Jersey on Monday. This move, aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants, has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organisations.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) expressed concern over the inspections, calling them an infringement on the sanctity of religious institutions. Kiran Kaur Gill, Director of SALDEF, stated, “We are deeply troubled by the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to eliminate protections for sensitive locations and target religious sites like gurudwaras.”
The inspections follow an announcement by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Sunday, reporting the arrest of 956 undocumented immigrants in a single day.
Sikh organisations argue that these actions not only violate the sanctity of religious spaces but also risk alienating communities. They have urged the administration to reconsider its policies and ensure the protection of places of worship and community gatherings.
The recent raids are part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, a priority outlined by the Trump administration. However, the targeted approach involving religious sites has sparked widespread concern among minority communities across the United States.
