Zero platform fees and matching funds increase your impact.
Every cause is reviewed before it can receive a dollar.
Join over 27,000 Sikhs to rise higher than we could alone.
AUG 14, 2025
August 14, 2025 (Nationwide) – Earlier this year, the Sikh Coalition became aware of a very concerning situation: More than a dozen Sikh community members were arrested and detained by immigration officials in one city over a 48-hour period.
While these arrests were supposedly related to a criminal investigation, no formal charges have been filed against any of the individuals months later. A significant number of those detained are in the United States with pending asylum cases or on various visas, yet they are being “held for ICE.” More importantly, many of them appear to have no connection whatsoever to the alleged criminal activity.
Unfortunately, legal options for those who are still detained are very limited because of the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement and severe policies. Courts are moving slow because they are overwhelmed; even those who are agreeing to deportation are having to wait months in detention. Beyond that, asylum cases from years ago are now being questioned by authorities. This situation is a powerful reminder that it is absolutely critical for all sangat members to understand their legal rights, especially when interacting with law enforcement.
Since the situation began unfolding, the Sikh Coalition has been on the ground and actively working to support the affected families and the broader community. Our team has:
Coordinated with families and their legal counsel, providing support with detention visits and translation services;
Consulted with outside organizations to determine potential larger lawsuits over what we believe to be unethical detention practices;
Offered Know Your Rights trainings to empower sangat members;
Provided support to the local gurdwara and helped alleviate wider community fears during this uncertain time; and
Prepared for potential opportunities for media engagement to ensure the community’s perspective is accurately represented and protected.
We are here to support those who have been affected, and we are also looking into potential legal avenues should these individuals be released without charges. We urge everyone to review and share our extensive library of immigration Know Your Rights materials, which are available on our website in Punjabi and English. If you or someone you know is facing wrongful detention, please reach out to us immediately at immigration@sikhcoalition.org; our attorneys cannot take on immigration cases indirectly, but we will work to refer you to an attorney with expertise if we can.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
Updates from Legal Safety and Security’s efforts, posted on a regular basis.
Fundraising campaigns for Social Justice
Zero platform fees and matching funds increase your impact.
Every cause is reviewed before it can receive a dollar.
Join over 27,000 Sikhs to rise higher than we could alone.
Fundraising campaigns for Social Justice
Real-Time Support for Survivors of Gender Based Violence: Urgent Action Fund
Sikh Family Center
Combating Violence Against Women & Girls
ICAAD
.png&w=3840&q=75)
We Are Saving Lives. Help the Growth of The First Ever Free Punjabi-Sikh Mental Health & Community Center
Khalsa Foundation
Supporting Sikh Political Prisoners In Punjab
Sikh Relief
Defense Fund for Sikh Civil Rights
Dasvandh Network
Share your dasvandh
