Saund Vs Cochran Film-in-Progress Preview Event

🎥 Film Preview + Conversation in San Diego, CA

Join SALDEF and the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California on October 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. for a special film-in-progress preview with award-winning filmmaker Mridu Chandra.

View never-before-seen footage from Saund vs Cochran, a nonpartisan documentary in development about how Dalip Singh Saund made history as the first Asian, Indian, and Sikh American elected to the U.S. Congress, serving California’s 29th District from 1957–1963.

Don’t miss this chance to engage in a powerful conversation about Saund’s legacy and its continued relevance today.

👉 RSVP now for FREE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saund-vs-cochran-film-in-progress-preview-event-tickets-1712288213139

In times of uncertainty, knowledge is power. As immigration policies rapidly change, we must be well informed about our civil rights. From encountering immigration enforcement at home and at work, SALDEF is here to help you learn your rights. That’s why we’re excited to announce our Know Your Rights webinar series this fall, designed specifically for Sikh Americans facing real challenges in schools, workplaces, and daily life.

These aren’t just theoretical discussions, they’re practical sessions that will equip you with the tools to protect yourself, your family, and your community when discrimination or violations occur. We will be joined by SALDEF staff and immigration attorneys. All sessions will be conducted in English and Punjabi.

đź’Ľ October 15 at 8pm EST // 5pm PST
Know Your Rights: Immigrant Workers’ Rights
What happens if immigration enforcement shows up at your workplace? What are your rights if ICE agents approach you while you’re working? Your immigration status doesn’t eliminate your civil rights. Learn how to protect both your livelihood and your dignity.

Every day, Sikh Americans face questions about their rights at work, school, and in public spaces. These webinars will give you confidence to:

  • Navigate difficult conversations with authority figures
  • Understand when your civil rights are being violated
  • Know exactly who to contact for help
  • Protect your family from discrimination

What You’ll Get:

✅ Expert guidance from civil rights attorneys and advocates
✅ Real-world scenarios and practical solutions
✅ Downloadable resources and contact information
✅ Q&A sessions to address your specific concerns

Register Now – It’s Free!

Can’t attend live? No problem—all registered participants will receive recordings and resource materials.

Join SALDEF for a vital session on your legal rights. Learn how to protect yourself and your family when interacting with law enforcement, immigration officers, and others.

This event is free and open to all.

  • Learn your rights
  • Get informed on legal protections
  • Q&A with legal experts

⏱️When: Sunday June 22, 2025
đź“ŤWhere: Raj Khalsa Gurdwara 22821 Silverbrook Center Dr, Sterling, VA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 11th, 2024
Contact: media@saldef.org

SALDEF Issues Clarification on Statement Regarding Harmeet Dhillon’s Nomination to DOJ  

WASHINGTON D.C. — SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) acknowledges the concerns raised by members of our community regarding our initial statement on the nomination of Harmeet Kaur Dhillon for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. Upon reflection, we recognize that our statement fell short of aligning with our mission and our duty to hold our leaders accountable. Our mission guides us to lead with nimrata (humility) and serve our sangat (community) with integrity and accountability and we thank all those who offered their feedback and counsel.

Our intention was to recognize the historical significance of Ms. Dhillon’s being the first Sikh American nominated for this role, given her prior contributions to civil rights advocacy, including her volunteer work with SALDEF and other Sikh causes in the years following 9/11. At that time, Ms. Dhillon actively supported efforts to address workplace discrimination, bullying, and the accommodation of Sikh articles of faith. In 2013, she was recognized by SALDEF for her contributions to civil advocacy, including serving on the board of the Northern California ACLU. In our original statement, we failed to appropriately address the deeply concerning aspects of her recent record. 

While we acknowledge Ms. Dhillon’s past contributions, we also recognize her more troubling recent positions and actions that warrant critical examination. In recent years, Ms. Dhillon has pursued positions and legal actions that undermine the very communities SALDEF is committed to advocating for by showcasing a concerning pattern of prioritizing partisan interests over civil rights protection. Representation alone is not enough—true leadership in civil rights must be rooted in the defense of all communities and the values of equity, justice, and inclusion. 

We urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to fulfill its constitutional role to advise and consent by thoroughly vetting Ms. Dhillon’s record. Her nomination should rise or fall on the merits of her ability to lead the Civil Rights Division as a nonpartisan champion for justice, rather than in service of the short-term political goals of any administration.

If confirmed, SALDEF will work with Ms. Dhillon and the Department of Justice to advance the rights of all communities and hold them accountable to the highest standards of civil rights protections by speaking out on any failure to uphold these principles. Our commitment remains steadfast: to ensure that the civil rights of all Americans, including Sikh Americans, are respected and protected at every level of government.

Since 1996, SALDEF has been dedicated to defending the rights of all Americans, especially those most marginalized and vulnerable to injustice. We thank our community for holding us accountable and reaffirm our pledge to act in service of sarbat da bhalla (welfare for all).

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SALDEF has issued an updated clarification on the statement below, which you can read here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10th, 2024

Contact: media@saldef.org

SALDEF Congratulates Harmeet Kaur Dhillon as the First Sikh American Nominated for Nation’s Top Civil Rights Post

Washington, D.C.— SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) proudly recognizes the historic nomination of Harmeet Kaur Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice by President-elect Donald J. Trump. If confirmed, Ms. Dhillon will be the first Sikh American to hold this critical position, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of Sikh representation in public service.

Harmeet Kaur Dhillon is a distinguished attorney and Republican Party official. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College and her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she served on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review. Following law school, she clerked for Judge Paul V. Niemeyer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Ms. Dhillon is the founder and managing partner of the Dhillon Law Group Inc., a firm specializing in commercial litigation, employment law, First Amendment rights, and election law matters. She also established the Center for American Liberty, a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending civil liberties.

Her leadership roles include serving as the former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party and as a National Committeewoman of the Republican National Committee for California.

“As a community, we are proud to see a Sikh American woman nominated to a position charged with protecting the civil rights of all Americans,” said SALDEF Board Chair Kavneet Singh.  “This nomination underscores the progress our community has made in gaining recognition and representation at the highest levels of government.”

SALDEF also acknowledges the significant responsibilities of the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, a role that directly impacts the safeguarding of fundamental freedoms, addressing hate crimes, combating racial and religious profiling, and expanding voting rights.

“As we celebrate the historic nature of this nomination, we look forward to working with Harmeet to ensure the Department of Justice protects the civil rights of all communities,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, SALDEF’s Executive Director. “SALDEF remains committed to working with the Department of Justice and the incoming administration to fight for the civil rights of all Americans and ensure that the Sikh American community is represented fairly.”

Ms. Dhillon’s relationship with SALDEF spans over two decades. As a volunteer lawyer, she worked on critical civil rights matters, including cases involving employment discrimination.

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“SB403 is a crucial piece of legislation that will protect vulnerable communities from discrimination and foster a more equitable California. We are proud to stand alongside our coalition partners in advocating for the passage of this historic bill. Caste-based discrimination is especially prevalent in South Asian communities in America, but this bill sets a national example for expanding civil rights and the American values of liberty and justice for all.”

Kiran Kaur Gill, SALDEF Executive Director

Uniting Against Caste Discrimination

SALDEF joins the Californians for Caste Equity Coalition of civil rights organizations, state legislators, and community advocates to celebrate the rapid passage of California State Bill SB403. The anti-caste discrimination bill just passed its final procedural step, with the California Senate casting a successful final concurrence vote. Now, the coalition calls on Governor Newsom to swiftly sign the bill.

 

SB403 seeks to combat caste discrimination and strengthen protections for marginalized communities across the state. State Senator Wahab, the lead author of the bill, joined caste equity civil rights activists and organizations from across the country—including the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and Equality Labs—in their united effort to promote equality and justice for California’s caste-oppressed community.

 

Stay Up to Date on How We Are Making Civil Rights History:

Countering Mis- and Dis- Information

SALDEF ran digital ads (below) to counteract mis- and dis- information being spread about SB403 in the Yuba City region of California. Over the course of 2 weeks, the ad was viewed about 15,000 times with a 60% completion rate. Versions of the ad included both English and Punjabi to be more accessible to sangat members who were most vulnerable to disinformation.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Today marks the 47th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream Speech” and the March on Washington.  In the speech he set out a vision for an America that looked beyond its racial and religious boundaries and came together recognizing the fundamental equality promised to all. While addressing the divisions and inequality prevalent in segregated America, his message inspires and motivates all of us today.  We at SALDEF work every day to make sure that the promise of equality and justice extends to all. We hope you draw as much inspiration from his speech as we do.