What is the SikhLEAD REGIONAL Internship Program?

Black Red Japanese Art Picture Postcard

What is the SikhLEAD REGIONAL Internship Program? 

In 2015, SALDEF launched the SikhLEAD Regional Internship Program in New Jersey in response to the success of the SikhLEAD Washington DC Congressional Internship Program. SikhLEAD Regional Internship Program follows in the footsteps of the premiere national program by placing young Sikh Americans in coveted local and state governmental internships. The regional program will also allow for high school students to apply. 

The SikhLEAD Regional Internship Program is aimed at building young leaders and providing opportunities and stepping stones for young Sikh Americans to enter into their local and state government. Currently, we are accepting students in New Mexico, New Jersey, and New York. 

The SikhLEAD Regional Internship Program  is a 12-week long program that provides interns with highly competitive internship placements, leadership skills, and access to a diverse network of professionals. The internship program takes a three pronged approach of education, experience and exposure to develop well rounded leaders that will be able to tackle the issues of future generations. 

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE SIKHLEAD REGIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS FEBRUARY 3, 2020. APPLY NOW AND SPEND YOUR SUMMER DEVELOPING THE SKILLS TO BE OUR NEXT SIKH AMERICAN LEADER.

Help us build a strong future for generations to come! 

SikhLEAD Washington DC Congressional Internship Program

Are you or someone you know interested in applying for the SikhLEAD Washington DC Congressional Internship? There are only THREE days left to apply! 

Time is running out! Make sure to apply and ensure you have a productive summer!

These competitive positions have advanced the Sikh policy agenda and given Sikh American students and recent graduates unique opportunities to progress in their respective paths. The application deadline is 11:59 pm PT on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Students of all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Early applications will be given priority.

Join us in DC this summer by applying now!

NOT A RISING YOUNG SIKH AMERICAN LEADER? HELP US FIND THIS YEAR’S CLASS! Please share this email with the politically engaged young people in your life, and encourage them to apply now. Click here for more information about the SALDEF SikhLEAD Washington DC Congressional Internship Program. 

Space is limited APPLY NOW to ensure your placement.  For more information, please visit www.sikhlead.org. We hope you will join us!

Build our Future, Be our Future!

Deputy Amrit1

Washington DC – Deputy Constable Amrit Singh was sworn-in today as the first Sikh Deputy Constable in Harris County, TX. Constable Alan Rosen oversaw the swearing-in and pinning ceremony that took place at the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. In this pioneering achievement, Deputy Singh, will be receiving full religious accommodation due to the policies Harris County has in place through the work of SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh.

Bobby Singh has been working with Constable Alan Rosen, the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Harris County Sheriff’s office for over 20 years. His work has reached over 12,500 members of law enforcement in the capacity of religious accommodations and cultural awareness trainings. “After years of working to develop the religious accommodation policy in partnership with Harris County and Constable Alan Rosen I am thrilled to see it implemented and even more proud to see a Sikh American rise in the ranks of law enforcement,” said Mr. Bobby Singh.

SALDEF would like to congratulate Deputy Constable Singh for this landmark achievement and thank both Constable Alan Rosen for his leadership and focus on inclusion, and SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh for his dedication and service to the Sikh American Community in the Greater Houston area.

“Constable Rosen and Mr. Bobby Singh have shown what law enforcement and community partnership efforts can yield when they are done consistently and in good faith,” said SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “We would like to congratulate Deputy Constable Amrit Singh on his new position, and his willingness to serve his community.  The work SALDEF does is only made possible by our volunteers like Regional Director Bobby Singh. His over 20 years of dedication to growing Sikh American understanding and presence in law enforcement can be seen with successes like that of Deputy Amrit Singh.”

The legacy of fallen officer Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal lives on through through officers like Deputy Constable Amrit Singh and all the trailblazers for which Deputy Dhaliwal paved the way. SALDEF will continue to advocate for uniform accommodation policies nationwide and also Sikh Awareness trainings for law enforcement through our Law Enforcement Partnership Program to ensure that all who want to serve are able to do so with both dignity and respect for their culture and religion. Understanding and accessibility is key to growing Sikh American presence in Law Enforcement.

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Washington DC – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, condemns the hate speech that defaced the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib in Orangevale, California.

Early this morning when the Granthi (priest) Manjit Singh from the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib stepped outside he saw “White Power” and a swastika graffitied onto the sign out front. The local police were called immediately and they took statements from the Granthi. After documenting the graffiti the police immediately painted over the hate speech. 

Dimple Kaur Bhullar from the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib Sangat said, “we began services as of mid-December 2019, the weekend of January 10-12 we had our official Grand Opening with Bhai Sahib Harjinder Singh Ji Sri Nagarwale, without any problems.” She also said, “there was no negativity before this.” 

“We are seeing a rise in hate crimes committed by white supremacist groups and we condemn them all,” said SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “When we see our peaceful places of worship attacked it creates a fear among the community and we cannot stand by and allow our brothers and sisters to be afraid to gather at our houses of worship.”

SALDEF condemns these kinds of hate crimes and hopes through education and community outreach that we can one day bring an end to all hate crimes.  SALDEF thanks the local police for their swift response and action in documenting and removing this hateful speech. On behalf of the Sikh American community, SALDEF offers support to the local Sangat and the local police in both finding the perpetrator and rebuilding trust in the community.