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AUG 4, 2026
Immigration & Religious Freedom Update
As immigration enforcement has intensified across the country, SALDEF has expanded its work to protect the civil rights and religious freedoms of Sikh immigrants. Through direct community support, policy advocacy, coalition engagement, and strategic litigation, we are ensuring Sikh voices remain represented in national immigration conversations while advancing policies that protect the dignity of all immigrant communities.
Supporting Sikh Detainees
This spring, SALDEF provided direct support to Sikh detainees in Indiana after learning that Punjabi-speaking individuals needed assistance. During regular visits, we connected one detainee with legal resources to pursue asylum after he endured the devastating loss of his mother while in detention. We also ensured another detainee received parnas (small Sikh turbans) so he could continue practicing his faith.
To expand our impact, SALDEF developed a Sikh Religious Accommodation Guide for chaplains serving ICE detention facilities, outlining Sikh articles of faith, religious practices, dietary requirements, and appropriate accommodations. We distributed this resource through national chaplaincy networks serving GEO Group and CoreCivic detention facilities and conducted outreach to detention centers across ten states to help ensure Sikh detainees' religious needs are understood and respected.
Federal Advocacy
Alongside our direct service work, SALDEF has continued advocating for stronger federal protections for immigrants and religious freedom. We have supported legislation to protect houses of worship from immigration enforcement, improve detention conditions, expand access to legal representation, strengthen oversight of ICE, and prohibit religious discrimination within the immigration system.
In recent months, SALDEF also submitted public comments opposing restrictive Department of Homeland Security regulations, joined multiple amicus briefs defending the rights of immigrant workers and faith communities, and endorsed legislation supporting Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status recipients, and broader due process protections.
Coalition Leadership
SALDEF continues to strengthen partnerships with national organizations, including the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) Immigration Committee and other immigration advocates, to coordinate rapid response efforts and advance shared policy priorities. We also joined national coalition letters calling for greater congressional oversight and accountability of immigration enforcement practices.
As immigration policy continues to evolve, SALDEF remains committed to protecting Sikh Americans through direct service, strategic advocacy, and coalition leadership. Thanks to your support, we are able to respond to immediate community needs while advancing long-term policy solutions that protect religious freedom, civil rights, and the dignity of all.
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