In the US, DHS raided gurdwaras and arrested illegal immigrants, causing an atmosphere of fear in the Sikh community. Sikh organization SALDEF has criticized the move and described it as an attack on religious freedom and fear in the community.
The US Home Safety Department raided the gurdwaras of New York and New Jersey this week and identified and arrested illegal immigrants. Through this action, the criminals living illegally in the US were to be caught, who are involved in serious crimes like murder and rape.
The DHS spokesperson defended the action, saying that this action makes CBP and ICE brave soldiers strong to implement our laws and catch criminal foreigners. These illegal immigrants also include killers and rapists.
Criminals will no longer hide in US schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave soldiers.
An atmosphere of fear in American Sikh community
- There is an atmosphere of concern in the Sikh community with this action. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has strongly criticized the move.
- SALDEF said that such action will not only create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the community, but it can also dissolve the sanctity of religious places that are the centers of social and cultural life for the Sikh community.
Religious freedom threat
- Leaders of the Sikh community said that the gurudwaras are not just a place of worship. These are social aid, food and shelter centers, which are open to all sections of society. In such a situation, by raiding these religious places, the Sikh community will be forced to live in a sensitive environment.
- SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill said that targeting our religious places weakens religious freedom. It creates fear in the Sikh community.
