Along with other leading civil rights organizations, SALDEF submitted a statement urging the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to engage the Biden Administration on meaningfully confronting the Indian Government on the issue of transnational repression.
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In a true democracy, freedom of speech including dissent should be celebrated, not suppressed. As you may know, recent news has broken that the Indian government is alleged to be involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent Sikh leader. If proven, these allegations represent a serious breach of international sovereignty, respect for core freedoms, and fits into a documented pattern of the Indian state actions towards minority and dissenting voices. View our up to date fact sheet on this news here. |
SALDEF has been working tirelessly to raise awareness of this issue with: |
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In fact, in our extensive research since the farmers protest, SALDEF has documented multiple cases of Sikh and minority voices throughout the Indian diaspora being actively censored online by the Indian government. |
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As we continue to reach out to congressional representatives, we thank US representatives that are speaking out for demanding a full investigation into the murder of Mr. Nijjar. |
Nearly 150 people, including members of Congress, attended the annual Langar hosted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)’s SikhLEAD Internship class and the office of Rep. Chuck Schumer, on Capitol Hill on July 26.
Langar is a 500-year old Sikh tradition that aims to eradicate segregation and classicism and promote food justice. Among the members of Congress who attended the event included Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) and Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13).
Speaking on the occasion, SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill explained the importance of Langar in the context of the Sikh American experience.
“Sikh Americans have a long history of innovative community engagement and leadership, from the Honorable Dalip Singh Saund who was one of our great pioneers in Congress, to the advocates at SALDEF. Having the occasion to share a meal as equals is a strong reminder about the values of equality and universal friendship.”
While Sikh Americans have a 125-year history in the United States, there are still a lot of misperceptions about the community. Langar on the Hill is a significant opportunity for us to introduce our American history and Sikh values, including equality for all. Moreover, it is a unique opportunity for this rising generation to express to our nation’s leaders how we intend to deepen our civic participation.
We’d like to take the time to thank the volunteers and all our supporters across the nation who donated to this event and contributed to its success.
(Washington, DC) — The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) is deeply disappointed with President Biden’s decision to celebrate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a state visit, and with Congressional leaders’ accompanying decision to honor PM Modi with an address to a joint session of Congress.
“We, alongside advocates for other Indian diasporic minorities undergoing intensely antidemocratic censorship, discrimination, and extrajudicial violence, are disheartened to see PM Modi receive the highest honors our federal government can bestow on a head of state,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “As extensively documented by civil society, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, and increasingly the State Department, the Modi regime is an appropriate designee of Country of Particular Concern status under the International Religious Freedom Act due to its widespread and escalating human rights violations. In this context, we feel deep disappointment that the administration and members of Congress have elected to turn a blind eye and to uncritically celebrate an autocratic regime in the name of geopolitics.”
From banning BBC documentaries about Modi’s career to raiding Western media offices in India to forcing social media platforms to comply with censorship demands, the Indian state demonstrates extraordinary commitment to pursuing its autocratic agenda globally.
“We are deeply appreciative of those in Congress who are opposing these decisions to overlook and minimize the struggle of communities like ours, and look forward to supporting their actions to demonstrate solidarity,” continued Gill.
At a time when we see an increase in people seeking asylum and refugee status, including Sikhs from India, this bill shuts down legal pathways for humane entry. The bill eliminates protections for children and would allow us to return to horrible practices of family detention that shocked the country during the Trump Administration. Finally, the bill would break down relationships between nonprofits serving migrants as part of their sewa, including gurdwaras that serve migrants from Punjab.
(Washington, DC) – SALDEF is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Punjab, including reports about the suspension of internet services and restrictions on the social media accounts of non-government-aligned reporters, organizations, and members of the public in India and throughout the world.
The Sikh American community stands with the global sangat expressing their concerns about limitations on the rights of reporters, human rights, and free expression in India. Free expression is a cornerstone of an engaged and active democracy.
As demonstrated in SALDEF’s report on global censorship of our community during the 2020-21 Punjab Farmers’ Protest, “When #Sikh Was Banned Worldwide,” the Indian government has a record of using similar tactics to limit the voice of the Sikh community in India and around the globe.
SALDEF is connecting with the Biden Administration to share concerns. We encourage you to contact your public officials and the media to raise awareness and encourage them to speak out on the ongoing situation. There are many ways you can help join the fight:
Background Information on the History of Censorship:
As outlined in our Censorship Report and by numerous human rights organizations, including ENSAAF and Amnesty International, the Indian government has a history of using repressive tactics to stifle protest and oppose dissent. These include:
For many Sikhs in the diaspora, the current tactics of the Indian and state governments echo the experiences of minority communities across India. They remind people of traumas they and their families experienced in Punjab during the 1970s through the 1990s. These concerns have been heightened due to the actions taken during and in response to the Farmer’s Protests of 2020-2021.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2022
Media Contact
Sahiba Kaur – (516) 902-1278
saldefmedia@gmail.com
SALDEF Approves the Signing of H.R. 3525 the “Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 13, President Biden signed into law the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act, in what he calls “long overdue.”
“It’s about time for a national museum to capture the courage, the character, and the imagination… of the generations of our fellow Americans who came before you… The diversity of the culture is significant, and the breadth of achievement is equal in significance,” said President Biden.
Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), releases the following statement:
“The signing of this historic legislation is one of the many critical steps that must be taken in order for Sikh Americans and fellow AAPI populations to gain the recognition we deserve as integral players in American society, culture, and history. We thank President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Senator Mazie Hirono, and Representative Grace Meng for spearheading this initiative and ensuring this legislation reaches the President’s desk. Their tireless efforts are a true testament to their dedication to preserving AAPI accomplishments”.
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SALDEF is a national Sikh American media, policy, and education organization. Our mission is to empower Sikh Americans by building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans. We are grounded in our values of optimism (chardi kala), humility (nimrata) and service (seva), inspired by the community (sangat) for the benefit of all (sarbat da bhalla). Visit our website: https://saldef.org/
Senator Dick Durbin to be Honored at SALDEF National Gala
Join us at the SALDEF National Gala in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 8, 2011. Along with marking our fifteenth anniversary, we will commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, honor our awardees, and enjoy cultural entertainment. 
We are pleased to announce that Senator Dick Durbin will be recognized for his leadership in Congress by sponsoring bills that protect the rights of Sikh Americans. Senator Dick Durbin, is the senior U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois and serves as the Assistant Majority Leader of the Senate, the second highest ranking position in the Senate. Senator Durbin is the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights and the Appropriations Committee’s Financial Services and General Government subcommittee. Senator Durbin is known as a champion of civil rights for all people. Immediately following 9/11, Senator Durbin introduced the Hate Crimes Resolution, condemning the hatred and violence targeted at Sikh Americans. Senator Durbin was also a primary supporter of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act which strengthened the existing hate crime laws. In addition, Senator Durbin also sponsors the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, both of which aim to strengthen efforts to prevent school bullying in primary and secondary education settings.
Join us in honoring Senator Durbin and others who have worked to protect the rights of all Americans.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
SALDEF Submits Testimony on Sikh American Challenges and Stands for Civil Rights of All
Washington, DC, March 28, 2011: Tomorrow, Tuesday March 29, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee – Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights will conduct the first-ever Congressional hearing on the civil rights of Muslim Americans. Because of the serious effects anti-Muslim hate has on Sikh Americans and the similar challenges both communities face, SALDEF was asked to submit a statement for the record on behalf of the Sikh American community for the hearing. The hearing, announced and chaired by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), is in response to the recent increase in anti-Muslim bigotry, including Quran burnings, hate crimes, hate speech, and other forms of discrimination. The hearing will consider measures to protect this community’s civil rights in light of the aforementioned issues. The hearing is open to the public and will be held at 10 AM EST in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The hearing will also be broadcast live and can be watched here. SALDEF welcomes this hearing and is pleased that the Sikh American experience will be included as part of written testimony. This hearing is especially relevant given the hearing held on March 10, 2011 by the Committee on Homeland Security by the U.S. House of Representatives on alleged domestic radicalization of Muslim Americans, which unfairly singled out the Muslim American community for scrutiny. As Sikhs, it is our duty to unwaveringly stand for the rights of all. Reflecting on the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji demands that our community defend the civil and human rights of everyone, ensuring that no one community is unfairly targeted. Furthermore, the hostile environment being created for Muslim Americans contributes to many of the problems Sikh Americans are currently facing, such as school bullying and harassment, employment discrimination, and hate crimes. We believe in the importance of standing in solidarity with our fellow Americans, as well as ensuring the issues of the Sikh American community are heard by our nation’s lawmakers.
• SALDEF Hosts Job Fair in Boston • Meeting with US Assistant Attorney General • Congressional Reception for Asian American Politicians • Lobbying for WRFA on Capitol Hill • New TSA Policy • New Form for Green Card • SSA Spotlight: UCLA holds Sikh Awareness Day SALDEF Hosts Government Job Fair in Boston 
On May 15th, SALDEF Board Member Navjeet Singh and local volunteer Jaswant Singh Chani collaborated with the Guru Ram Das Ashram in Boston, Massachusetts to hold a Job Fair focusing on federal jobs for the local Sikh Community. Among the agencies present at the Fair was the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, Maura Healey, a representative of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Civil Rights Division discussed how to address discrimination during the employment process and how to appropriately document instances and file complaints. If you would like to hold a similar job fair or Know Your Rights Forum for your local sangat, please contact SALDEF. Meeting with US Assistant Attorney General
AAG Thomas Perez
Rep. Mike Honda (CA)
On May 25, SALDEF Associate Director Jasjit Singh and Legislative Intern Dilroop Kaur met with Congressman Dan Burton’s staff to lobby for the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA). If passed, WRFA will positively impact the Sikh American community by strengthening the laws which allow for religious expression in the workplace. The visit was arranged by the Sikh Coalition and included a member of the Interfaith Alliance as well. SALDEF has been engaged since 2004 working on this important piece of legislation. To read a blog entry about this visit, please click here. To read about past engagement with this bill and SALDEF please click below: • Religious Freedom Bill Discussed in Congress • SALDEF Conducts Congressional Visits on Religious Freedoms Legislation • SALDEF Conducts Congressional Briefing on WRFA • The Sikh American Voice in Congress TSA Introduces ‘Secure Flight’ Policy 
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced the implementation of the Secure Flight Program to improve passenger travel experience, and most notably to better handle issues of misidentification. When making airline reservations, passengers will now be asked for their full name, date of birth, and gender. This information will be sent to ‘Secure Flight’ by the airline to be used in watch list matching. The matching results will be sent back to the airline. Thus, those individuals who have names which may be similar to individuals on the No Fly list or the Selectee List for enhanced screening can be cleared before a boarding pass is printed. According to the TSA, the program will decrease cases of misidentified individuals, provide early identification of matches so that law enforcement and threat management may take proper measures, and reduce chances of compromised watch list data by centralizing it at Secure Flight. For more information on Secure Flight, visit http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm#content. USCIS Green Card Update 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on June 14 that a new version of the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90), more commonly known as the “Green Card” is available on the USCIS website. The new version of the form is dated 8/10/09 and contains more user-friendly features. The form can be found in PDF form here or by visiting http://www.uscis.gov/. 
SSA Spotlight: UCLA Holds Sikh Awareness Day On May 10, UCLA’s Sikh Student Association held its Annual Sikh Awareness Day on campus. The day included entertainment from local artists, demonstration of gatka (Sikh martial arts), and langar (community meal). Congratulations to the UCLA SSA for hosting a great event. If we can assist your SSA in any way – by providing speakers, materials, etc – please contact SALDEF.