Following the Trump administration's removal of restrictions preventing ICE from conducting raids at sensitive locations, including places of worship, Sikh community members nationwide are experiencing heightened anxieties. This has led to a decline in attendance at some gurdwaras, with individuals concerned about potential encounters with immigration agents. The article highlights the concerns of Sikh leaders and members about the impact on their religious practices and the sanctity of their temples.
Sikh community members said they have already seen how anxieties around immigration have impeded the way in which some, including naturalized citizens, practice their faith., hundreds of members of a Sikh temple in New York have stopped attending services regularly. Another gurdwara, or temple, in West Sacramento, California, has been fielding a half dozen calls daily from members fearful of immigration raids.
Thandi also said while the gurdwara provides food throughout the day, he’s noticed that around 100 or so people have shifted their meal times, opting to eat during less crowded hours, rather than join in the typical post-service lunch. He thinks the shift may be in order to avoid any potential encounters with ICE.
There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs and more than 350 gurdwaras across the country, according to the Sikh Coalition, a national civil rights nonprofit. The group, who first arrived in the U.S. in the 1800s, have largely made homes in New York and California. But other areas have also become major cultural hubs, including Chicago, Oklahoma City and Dallas. While there’s no specific data on undocumented Sikhs, there are roughly 725,000 Indian undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
“Traffic is down in businesses,” Toor said. “Businesses are complaining about it. Traffic is down in places of worship, whether it is mosque or gurdwara.”
Sikh Community Immigration ICE Religious Freedom Places Of Worship
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philadelphia Immigrant Community Fears Increased Raids Following ICE Car Wash OperationSeven people were detained, including members of local immigrant advocacy groups, during an ICE raid at a Philadelphia car wash. The incident has sparked fear among immigrants in the city, with organizations reporting increased calls from individuals fearing further raids and reluctant to leave their homes. Advocates are urging Mayor Parker to take a stronger stance against ICE activity and calling for increased support and information for the immigrant community.
Read more »
Fake Emails Trigger Fears of ICE Raids in North Carolina SchoolsFalse emails circulating in North Carolina, urging immigrant families not to send their children to school due to alleged ICE raids, have sparked alarm. Nash County Public Schools issued a warning, emphasizing the fraudulent nature of the messages and advising parents against engaging with them. The school district is investigating the incident and urges parents to report any suspicious communications.
Read more »
Fears of mass firings at FBI and ICE carries out raids in Denver: Morning RundownFBI agents are pushing back against the Trump administration, filing lawsuits aimed at preventing their dismissals and, for those who worked on Jan. 6 cases, keeping their names from being made public. NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell reports.
Read more »
Bexar County Sheriff Addresses Fears of ICE RaidsBexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar seeks to quell anxieties over potential ICE raids, emphasizing that ICE is not targeting families or children. He clarifies that ICE focuses on individuals with criminal records posing threats to national security or public safety. While acknowledging the possibility of arrests occurring at schools or churches if individuals with warrants are present, Salazar states that ICE is not conducting indiscriminate sweeps.
Read more »
ICE raids scaring away customers, business owners sayWith ICE raids happening across the country, business owners say deportation fears have driven away customers.
Read more »
US Immigrant Fears for Safety Amidst ICE RaidsMaria Sahonic, a US Air Force veteran and legal immigrant, expresses growing anxiety about her safety due to increased immigration enforcement activities by ICE agents. The recent expansion of ICE's authority to enter 'sensitive' locations like schools and churches has heightened fears among immigrants, who worry about being targeted for arbitrary arrests.
Read more »