Know Your Rights: Immigrant Workers’ Rights

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.

💼 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.

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. 

📚 September 24 at 8pm EST // 5pm PST
Know Your Rights: Back to School for Students & Parents
Don’t let visa fears or campus confusion derail your dreams. You have rights as both a student and as a person of faith – learn how to protect both.

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
📍Where: Raj Khalsa Gurdwara 22821 Silverbrook Center Dr, Sterling, VA

  • Army to Allow Turbans in Junior ROTC
  • SALDEF Year End Fundraising Goal Exceeded!
  • UPDATE: India Abroad Apologizes
  • Attention all College Students and Recent Graduates
  • SALDEF Conducts Law Enforcement Training for Howard County, MD Police
  • SALDEF Hosts Successful Know Your Rights Forums in California
  • 2012 Sikh Awareness Pocket Calendars Available
  • SALDEF Participates in Anti-Bullying Circle
  • Scholarship Opportunity Available for High School and College Students
  • Upcoming Events

Army to Allow Turbans in Junior ROTC

The Department of Defense will now allow Sikh and Muslim students participating in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) to wear turbans and headscarves while in uniform. This victory was won by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for responding to an incident in which a Muslim teen quit JROTC when her commanding officer would not allow her to wear her hijab in the homecoming parade.  The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army stated in a letter to CAIR that, “the Army has reviewed its JROTC uniform policy and will develop appropriate procedures to provide Cadets the opportunity to request the wear of religious head dress, such as the turban and hijab.”

If you have an issue with your high school JROTC, contact us.

SALDEF Year End Fundraising Goal Exceeded!

With the community’s generous support we surpassed our 2011 year end fundraising goal to raise $75,000.  SALDEF would like to thank everyone for their generous donations! This money will help us continue our mission of defending, informing and empowering Sikh Americans. We could not do this without your generous support!  You can support our work year round, or monthly with a recurring donation at www.saldef.org/donate.

Learn more about our work in our newly released annual report.

UPDATE: India Abroad Apologizes

In November 2011, SALDEF responded to an extremely offensive letter to the editor printed in India Abroad blaming Sikh Americans for the ill treatment they may receive. SALDEF took issue with the author’s words as well as India Abroad’s decision to print such a letter. In their December 9, 2011 publication, the editors of India Abroad printed an apology, stating in part, “[We] sincerely apologize for hurting any sentiments caused by the publication of the said letter.” Read the full apology here.

Attention all College Students and Recent Graduates

SALDEF’s SikhLEAD Internship Program partners with congressional offices to place exceptional Sikh American college students and recent graduates in internship positions on Capitol Hill. Through this program, Sikh American young leaders will have access to a competitive opportunity that will serve to further their academic and professional aspirations. Spend your summer in Washington, DC interning with a member of Congress. Make this a summer you won’t forget and gain valuable experience to build your future!
Application deadline for summer 2012 is February 26th at 11:59PM EST.
Early applications will be given preference. Apply online here!

SALDEF Conducts Law Enforcement Training for Howard County, MD Police

Jasjit Singh, SALDEF Associate Executive Director, conducted a Law Enforcement Partnership Program training for new recruits in the Howard County Maryland Police Department on December 23rd, 2011. The training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges Sikh Americans face on a daily basis. Participants watched On Common Ground, a training film co-produced by SALDEF and the Department of Justice, to help articulate the steps officers can take to identify and respect members of the Sikh faith.

SALDEF Hosts Successful Know Your Rights Forums in California

On December 4th and 11th, Know Your Rights Forum events were hosted in Northern and Southern California to address local sangat issues around workplace discrimination, hate crimes, biased incidents and more.  Guest speakers from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Department of Justice, Office of Community Relations Services all spoke to the sangat members in detail regarding their civil rights.  Special thanks to Gurdwara management at Gurdwara Sahib San Jose, San Jose and Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Buena Park.

2012 Sikh Awareness Pocket Calendars Available

It’s not too late to for SALDEF’s Sikh Awareness Pocket Calendars. Educate your neighbors, friends, and co-workers about Sikh Americans in an easy, informative way through our annual pocket calendars. In their ninth year of production, the 2012 calendars feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States. In a new folded style, the calendars are the size of standard business cards. Sikhs across the nation have distributed them at their workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, senior citizens centers, and public libraries.


SALDEF Participates in Anti-Bullying Circle

On December 5th, 2011, SALDEF participated in SAALT’s (South Asian Americans Leading Together) DC SAALT Circle, a group of community members who meet bimonthly to discuss issues within the community. The December SAALT Circle addressed the issue of bullying and the South Asian community. SALDEF discussed the impact of bullying from a community level and shared ways that communities can work to reduce and react to bullying. Other speakers on the panel were Akil Vohra from the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Shawn Gaylord from GLSEN.

SHARE: Click here to email and share your story about bullying with SALDEF.

Scholarship Opportunity Available for High School and College Students

The International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS) announces two scholarships ($500.00 each) in memory of its founder Captain K.H. Singh for Sikh Youth who are High School seniors or current college students. The purpose is to award and promote Sikh Youth as they pursue their educational goals. Deadline to receive applications is January 15, 2012. Details are also available via www.iigs.com.  To apply, click here.

Upcoming Events

  • January 5 – Yolo County District Attorney”s Office Training – Woodland, CA
  • January 11 – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Training  – Philadelphia, PA
  • January 23 —U.S. Park Police Training – Washington, D.C.
  • January 29 – Know Your Rights Forum – Riverside, CA
  • February 8 – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Training – Los Angeles, CA
  • February 21 – U.S. Park Police Training – Washington, D.C.

As part of our ongoing effort to educate and empower the Sikh American community across the country, SALDEF recently conducted two events for the Sikh community of Atlanta, Georgia. Outreach Event with US Attorney at SEWA Gurdwara On August 12, US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Sally Yates, joined Sikh community members at SEWA Gurdwara. In her remarks following diwan, Ms. Yates spoke highly of the Sikh commitment to justice and equality. She also reaffirmed her commitment to serving the Sikh American community, stating, “I work for each and every one of you.” Following langar, Ms. Yates met with local community leaders and youth representatives to discuss issues affecting the community. As the US Attorney, Ms. Yates, a presidential appointee, represents the federal government in US district court and US court of appeals. This is the second event US Attorney Yates has participated in this year with SALDEF to better understand the needs of the Sikh American community. Know Your Rights Forum at Sikh Study Circle On August 14, SALDEF conducted a Know Your Rights Forum in cooperation with the Sikh Study Circle of Georgia. Over 120 community members participated in the event.  Representatives from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, and Georgia Department of Education spoke to community members about their rights and the resources available to them to combat discrimination and unfair treatment, as well as engaged in a lively question and answer session. The forum gave sangat members an opportunity to gain a better understanding about their rights as citizens and residents of the United States, and connect with local and federal officials, who are tasked with protecting those rights. SALDEF would like to acknowledge Jagjeet Sidhu and family, as well as Gulbagh Singh Basi and Gursharan Singh Pannu for their support in making these events successful. If you and your community would like to be similarly informed about your rights, please contact SALDEF at info@saldef.org.

US Attorney Outreach – Friday, August 12, 8-9pm, SEWA Gurdwara, Roswell

Sally Yates, US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, will be attending the SEWA Gurdwara located at 10590 Woodstock Road, Roswell, GA 30075 on Friday, August 12.  She will be meeting local community members to learn about issues affecting the community. She will also address the Sangat at the end of diwaan.

Know Your Rights Forum – Sunday, August 14, 1-4pm Sikh Study Circle

We are pleased to announce a Know Your Rights (KYR) Forum for the Sikh American community of Atlanta, GA in cooperation with the Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, 1821 South Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088 on Sunday, August 14, 2011 from 1-4pm.

The forum will give Sangat members an opportunity to become informed about their rights and connect with local and federal officials who can offer resources and assistance in the context of Employment Discrimination, Hate Crimes, Airport Screening, Government Issued Photographs, and School Bullying. SALDEF will be joined by representatives from the following government agencies:

Terrie Dandy
EEOC Outreach Program Coordinator
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission

Suzanne Buchanan
Conciliation Specialist
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Community Relations Service (CRS)

Major Lane Hagin
Atlanta Police Department

Garry McGiboney
Associate Superintendent
Georgia Department of Education

We urge you to join us and discuss your rights as Sikh Americans and to learn how to respond to discriminatory issues that may be happening in your life.

Know Your Rights Forum – Sunday, August 14, 1-4pm Sikh Study Circle

We are pleased to announce a Know Your Rights (KYR) Forum for the Sikh American community of Atlanta, GA in cooperation with the Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, 1821 South Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088 on Sunday, August 14, 2011 from 1-4pm.

The forum will give Sangat members an opportunity to become informed about their rights and connect with local and federal officials who can offer resources and assistance in the context of Employment Discrimination, Hate Crimes, Airport Screening, Government Issued Photographs, and School Bullying. SALDEF will be joined by representatives from the following government agencies:

Terrie Dandy
EEOC Outreach Program Coordinator
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission

Suzanne Buchanan
Conciliation Specialist
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Community Relations Service (CRS)

Major Lane Hagin
Atlanta Police Department

Garry McGiboney
Associate Superintendent
Georgia Department of Educatio

Earlier today we wrapped up a fantastic forum hosted with the Sikh American community in Las Vegas, NV.  Thanks to the hospitality of the management at Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh and the agency representatives, the forum was a great success!  The sangat (congregation) had an opportunity to interact with government officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Members of the community expressed concerns around racially motivated threats within the local Las Vegas community and had a chance todiscuss the issue directly with FBI officials.  “The Sikh American community is every bit a part of the larger Las Vegas community, and we would love to continue to engage with community members and leaders to ensure safety and quality of life,” commented Holly James, the Community Outreach Specialist with the FBI-Las Vegas Division.  Special Agent Jeffrey Williams presented on behalf of the Cyber Crimes Squad, discussing Internet related threats including Identity Theft, social media, and bank fraud.  Having a community that is focused on the development of our Sikh youth, the focus on social media gave the parents in the congregation a chance to really hear and understand the outside threats that families and students are exposed to on a daily basis and how to protect themselves. The sangat also got a chance to hear from Kenneth Mead, a Detective with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department on the issue of Hate Crimes.  Detective Mead has been part of the Las Vegas law enforcement community for quite sometime, with experience within the Sikh American community via collaboration with SALDEF on various outreach efforts.  He took the opportunity to discuss what the process is for investigating hate crimes, how they are declared as such, and how to report any incidents that happen to Sikh Americans. Lucy Orta, Local Director of the Las Vegas Office with the EEOC took some time to discuss various types of workplace related discrimination issues, as well as the process in which to report these problems.  It was a great opportunity for community members to connect with her regarding issues they have faced while in the work place or applying for work.  The EEOC and SALDEF have a collaborative relationship that allows Sikh American community members to report issues either directly to SALDEF that will reach the EEOC immediately. We encourage members to report any issues they have in the workplace to SALDEF via info@saldef.org. All of the agencies representatives also took some time to discuss employment opportunities and career development paths with the community members present, encouraging all eligible applicants to apply.  If you interested in any of the opportunities discussed, please email info@saldef.org. On behalf of SALDEF, we would like to thank the government agencies that took time our of their Sunday to come and speak with community members in Las Vegas, as well as the Las Vegas sangat members that made the time to engage with the guest speakers during the program at Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh. If you would like a SALDEF volunteer or staff member to conduct Know Your Rights Forum for your local sangat, please contact SALDEF by email at info@saldef.org.

The Know Your Rights program creates an open forum encouraging all Sikh Americans to understand their rights.

As a part of SALDEF”s ongoing effort to empower the community and strengthen partnerships with government, we are pleased to announce a Know Your Rights (KYR) Forum for the Sikh American community of Las Vegas and Clark County, NV in cooperation with the Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh on Sunday, March 20th from 2-4pm.

The following government agencies and representatives will provide community members with important information about employment discrimination, hate crimes, and government resources. Additionally, this will be an opportunity to network with government recruiters and discuss employment opportunities.

Lucy Orta
Director
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Superintendent Dwight Jones (Invited)
Superintendent
Clark County School District
Nevada Department of Education

Holly James
Community Outreach Specialist
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)


Kenneth Mead
Detective
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Since 2002, SALDEF has organized numerous educational workshops for Sikh American communities in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

SALDEF would like to thank the management of the Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh and the leaders of the local Sikh American community, as well as the participating government agencies for their support.

For additional information about this event or if you would like to organize a Know Your Rights Forum for your community, please contact Birpal Kaur by email at info@saldef.org or via phone at 213.985.1116.

Please distribute this widely to family, friends and at the local Gurdwara.

Events in Indianapolis and Miami garner support from hundreds of community members December 10, 2008, Washington, DC – In November, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, organized Know Your Rights workshops for Sikh American communities in Indianapolis, Indiana and Miami, Florida. Miami KYR These groundbreaking educational forums featured presentations by representatives from several government agencies and nonprofit organizations, including the Equal Employment Employment Opportunity Commission; Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Immigrant Welcome Center of Indianapolis; Broward County Public Schools; and Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity Board. Since 2005, SALDEF has organized Know Your Rights workshops for Sikh American communities in California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas. These educational forums not only allow Sikh Americans to learn about their rights and interact with government officials but also enable government agencies to learn about the Sikh religion and ongoing challenges faced by Sikh Americans, including hate crimes, employment discrimination, and school bullying. Indiana KYR Please ask your local Gurdwara to host a SALDEF Know Your Rights workshop, and please support the work of SALDEF. Your donation of 10 or 20 dollars a month will help SALDEF empower the Sikh community in 2009 and beyond. If you would like to organize a SALDEF Know Your Rights workshop for your community, or if you or children have experienced violence, discrimination, or bullying, please contact SALDEF immediately by email at info@saldef.org or via phone at 202-393-2700.

Forum designed to create proactive dialogue between government officials and Sikh American community Washington, DC, November 19, 2008 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the Sikh Society of Florida together have organized a Know Your Rights Forum for the Sikh American community of South Florida on Sunday, November 23, 2008. The following agencies will provide community members with critical information about combating employment discrimination, hate crimes, and school bullying: Nitza Wright – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Mildred Duprey de Robles – U.S. Department of Justice; Marcos Regalado – Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity Board; and, Randall Mullings – Broward County Public Schools. An invitation was extended to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to discuss the recruitment of Sikh Americans into the local police force. DATE: Sunday, November 23, 2008 TIME: 1:30 p – 2:30 p LOCATION: Sikh Society of Florida (16000 SW 60th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33331) The Sikh American community must continue to build bridges of understanding with government agencies to ensure that we educate ourselves about our rights, educate our public servants about the Sikh religion, and bring Sikh Americans into the mainstream. This forum falls just one week after a highly successful event held in Indiana, where Sikh Americans have felt especially vulnerable to employment discrimination.
 
For the past three years, SALDEF has organized over a dozen KYR Forums throughout the United States, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, California, and Indiana. SALDEF urges all members of the Sikh American community to encourage their local sangat to host a SALDEF Know Rights Forum to make sure they understand their rights and build relationships with government leaders in their area. 
 
SALDEF would like to thank the management and community leaders of the Sikh Society of Florida, as well as the participating government agencies, for supporting and sponsoring this event.  
 
For additional information about this event, please contact Rajdeep Singh Jolly at legal@saldef.org or via phone at (202) 393-2700 Ext 131. PLEASE distribute this to your family, friends and at the local Gurdwara.