Sikh Leaders Refute Claims of Immigration Raids at Gurdwaras in New York
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Synopsis
Sikh leaders in New York have denied allegations of immigration raids at Gurdwaras, asserting that reports from some Indian media are unfounded. Community representatives highlighted their positive relations with government officials and emphasized their contributions during the pandemic.
Key Takeaways
- No immigration raids reported at Gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey.
- Leaders attribute false reports to misunderstandings.
- Sikh community maintains strong government relations.
- Community contributions appreciated during COVID.
- New policy change regarding immigration enforcement in places of worship criticized.
New York, Jan 28 (NationPress) Leaders within the Sikh community have firmly rejected allegations of immigration raids occurring at Gurdwaras, countering claims made by certain Indian media outlets.
Sukhjinder Singh Nijjar, present at the Richmond Hill Gurdwara in New York, a significant hub for Sikhs, stated that the prayer services proceeded with utmost respect and there was no disruption from any quarters.
Nijjar, affiliated with the Sikh Cultural Society that represents the Coastal Northeast, affirmed that no law enforcement actions took place at other Gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey.
He attributed the erroneous reports to a misunderstanding and miscommunication, describing it as a word-of-mouth issue lacking factual support.
Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, dismissed the claims regarding raids or visits from immigration or other agencies.
Singh highlighted that the Sikh community in New York and New Jersey maintains positive relations with government representatives at “all levels”, including the Justice Department and the White House.
He emphasized the community's significant contributions to local life, particularly during COVID, stating that their ongoing efforts are deeply appreciated.
Nijjar noted that Gurdwaras enjoy good relations with government agencies, mentioning that his temple regularly invites officials to discuss community issues.
Recently, the Trump administration rescinded a policy preventing immigration officers from making arrests in churches or schools.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that “Criminals can no longer evade arrest by hiding in America’s schools and churches”.
While the statement specifically referred to churches, which has faced backlash from Christian organizations, other religious communities have also raised concerns regarding its implications.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) condemned the policy shift, with Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill expressing serious concern, stating, “Targeting these sacred spaces for enforcement actions jeopardizes the sanctity of our faith and conveys a disturbing message to immigrant communities across the country”.
Nevertheless, US officials have not executed any raids at churches or places of worship under the revised policy.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), responsible for executing raids, did not report any weekend operations in New York and New Jersey.
