The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) voiced serious concern over the directive. In a statement, the organisation pointed out that community reports had surfaced indicating that DHS agents visited gurudwaras in New York and New Jersey just days following the policy change.
Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of SALDEF, said, “These places are not just places of worship; they are vital community centres that provide support, nourishment, and spiritual solace to Sikhs and the broader community. We are deeply alarmed by this decision to eliminate protections for sensitive areas and then target them.”
The Sikh Coalition also criticised the decision such raids are unacceptable to Sikh faith tradition.
“The idea that our gurudwaras could be subject to government surveillance and raids by armed law enforcement, with or without warrants, is unacceptable to the Sikh faith tradition. It will burden religious exercise by limiting the ability of Sikhs to gather and associate with one another by our faith.”
The Trump administration’s decision has raised concerns within the Sikh community, with fears that these enforcement actions could discourage individuals from seeking the vital support and spiritual solace offered by gurudwaras.