From the Frontlines: February Advocacy Update

SALDEF Policy Update: February 2026

In February, SALDEF engaged lawmakers, filed legal briefs, strengthened coalitions, and ensured that Sikh American perspectives were represented in critical federal and state policy discussions. Here is exactly what your support made possible.

1. Protecting the Right to Vote

Sikh Americans, like many immigrant communities, face outsized barriers when navigating voter registration systems: language access gaps, name discrepancies on documents, and unfamiliarity with bureaucratic processes.

The SAVE America Act, the Make Elections Great Again Act, and the original SAVE Act would have made those barriers worse.

SALDEF joined a national civil rights coalition to oppose all three, ensuring that eligible Sikh American citizens are not locked out of the democratic process that shapes the policies affecting their lives.

2. Defending Birthright Citizenship and Due Process

For Sikh families with mixed immigration status, a reality for many in our community, birthright citizenship is the legal foundation of their children’s lives in America.

This month SALDEF endorsed the Defend the Fourteenth Amendment Resolution and joined SAAJCO and the South Asian coalition on an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara, standing in federal court in direct defense of this constitutional protection. As this right is challenged, with your support, SALDEF is pushing back.

3. Protecting Gurdwaras and Sikh Sacred Spaces

The sanctity of religious worship spaces is not a matter of preference; it is a matter of constitutional and moral principle. This month, SALDEF continued to put pressure by joining a letter urging Congress to enact the bill.

This federal legislation would formally protect houses of worship, including Sikh gurdwaras, from immigration enforcement actions that erode community trust and undermine religious free exercise.

4. Holding Government Power Accountable

SALDEF called for congressional oversight of Department of Homeland Security surveillance technologies through a coalition letter led by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

SALDEF endorsed the Melt ICE Act, advocating for an immigration system grounded in due process and proportionality rather than punitive detention.

5. Leading the Nation on Transnational Repression

After California Governor Newsom vetoed SB 509 last year, we continued our advocacy in ensuring victims of transnational repression are protected.

This month, SALDEF successfully engaged with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to ensure that as the state develops official law enforcement training on transnational repression, the Sikh community’s experiences are centered.

Following the guilty plea entered by Nikhil Gupta in a plot tied to foreign threats against Sikh Americans on U.S. soil, SALDEF issued a public statement reinforcing that accountability is not optional.

6. Defending Religious Freedom and Fighting Online Hate

When X/Twitter became a platform for coordinated hate targeting minority religious communities, civil rights organizations that spoke up faced legal retaliation. SALDEF joined an amicus brief in Media Matters v. FTC to protect the right of advocacy organizations including our own to do this work without fear.

SALDEF also joined Interfaith Alliance v. Trump as a plaintiff, challenging the Religious Liberty Commission to ensure that religious freedom protections serve all Americans, not just some.

Because of your partnership, SALDEF continues to advocate for our community, ensuring that Sikh Americans are not only included in national conversations, but actively shaping them.

Thank you for your continued trust and investment in this work.

Support SALDEF’s Work on the Frontlines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joint Statement on the Hindu American Foundation’s Remarkable Comments Regarding the Plot to Assassinate Sikhs on U.S. Soil

February 23, 2026 — On a February 20 episode of “HAF Reacts,” Hindu American Foundation’s Managing Director for Policy and Programs Samir Kalra said the following about the recent guilty plea of Nikhil Gupta and his role in a conspiracy to assassinate U.S.-based Sikhs:

“Man, if you’re gonna do a job, fucking do it right, too. I mean that’s the other thing. Why did you send such a sloppy person to do the job? And again, I’m not advocating it should have been successful, but come on, I mean, that was, like, worse than the D-team. Like when you walk into a strip club in the middle of the day, you get like the worst dancers that are there, right? You gotta go to like, prime time at night to get the best dancers, not during the daytime. And that’s like, this kind of operation! You have, like, the daytime dancers that were part of this operation. If you’re going to do it, freakin’ do it right. If you’re going to have somebody indicted, at least be successful in your operation. Shame on India or whoever was ordering this hit or whoever was involved in it for doing such a horrible, sloppy job.”

SALDEF (the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund), The Sikh Coalition, and Hindus for Human Rights, offered the following joint reaction:

“It is truly remarkable to watch HAF’s leadership openly yucking it up about a foreign government’s plot to kill U.S.-based individuals. In the course of his misogynistic shock jock routine, it is pretty incredible that Kalra appears to overtly concede that India could have been involved in ‘ordering this hit’—which, again, is an attempt to murder an American on American soil.”

“As a reminder, this is an ongoing threat—not just in our eyes, but in the eyes of the United States government. A former RAW official is still wanted by the FBI for his role in coordinating this conspiracy. Other Sikh activists received ‘duty to warn notices’ that they could be targets for assassination. And other governments, most notably Canada, have both publicly expelled multiple Indian consular officials for their role in transnational repression against the Sikh diaspora, as well as accused high-level officials of being involved in these plots.”

“We strongly encourage others in the civil rights ecosystem, media, and elsewhere to review this recording. The choice to post it without apology or qualification is illustrative of HAF’s positions, values, and seriousness; it is also essential context for any of their advocacy work moving forward on laws or policies that would seek to address the very real and persistent threat of transnational repression.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2026
Contact: Media@saldef.org

Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty To Plotting To Assassinate Sikh U.S. Citizen 

Foreign-directed assassination plot underscores urgent need to protect constitutional rights of diaspora communities

Washington, D.C. – SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) acknowledges today’s guilty plea by Nikhil Gupta to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City. This case represents a chilling confirmation of what Sikh Americans have long warned about: the reach of transnational repression onto American soil.

“Today’s guilty plea validates the serious concerns our community has raised about transnational repression targeting Sikh Americans who exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful advocacy,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, SALDEF Executive Director. “No one in America should fear assassination for their political beliefs or advocacy. This case demands a comprehensive governmental response to protect all diaspora communities from foreign threats.”

This case is not isolated. SALDEF has documented and advocated against transnational repression tactics employed against Sikh Americans, including surveillance and intimidation of community members and activists; coordinated harassment campaigns targeting Sikh institutions and leaders; and attempts to influence U.S. policy through coercion rather than legitimate diplomatic channels.

As FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky stated, “The U.S. citizen became a target of transnational repression solely for exercising their freedom of speech.” This is the definition of an attack on American values and constitutional protections.

SALDEF has been at the forefront of combating transnational repression, including engaging federal agencies such as the FBI, Department of Justice, and State Department to ensure robust protection of Sikh Americans; advocating for legislative solutions to strengthen U.S. responses to foreign government interference; educating policymakers about the scope and nature of transnational repression affecting our community; and building coalitions with other diaspora communities facing similar threats.

While we commend U.S. law enforcement for bringing Gupta to justice, this guilty plea must catalyze further action: full accountability for all individuals involved, including any foreign government officials who directed this plot; diplomatic consequences for governments that engage in transnational repression on U.S. soil; enhanced protective measures for at-risk community members and activists; increased resources for investigating and prosecuting transnational repression cases; and legislative action to strengthen legal frameworks protecting diaspora communities.

“The targeting of American citizens by foreign governments represents an assault on our democracy and the fundamental freedoms we hold dear,” continued Gill. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every person in America can exercise their rights without fear of violence.”

SALDEF remains committed to protecting the civil rights and religious freedoms of Sikh Americans and stands ready to support community members facing threats. We urge anyone experiencing intimidation or threats to contact SALDEF and report incidents to the FBI.

From the Frontlines: January Advocacy Update

In moments of challenge, communities show their true strength.

Across the country right now, neighbors are stepping up to protect one another, uphold dignity, and demand accountability from those in power. This is exactly the kind of collective action that creates lasting change and we’re grateful to have you as part of this movement.

Below, we share critical updates on immigration enforcement, religious liberty, and language access, along with concrete ways you can take action today.

On Immigration

Demanding Justice After Fatal Minneapolis Shooting

From Minneapolis to Chicago to Los Angeles, people are being killed on the streets, families are being separated, and communities are being destabilized.

We joined Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minneapolis City Council members in condemning these actions and calling for full transparency and accountability. Read our statement here.

Challenging Secret Police Tactics

“When law enforcement officers conceal their identities, or when non-officers impersonate police, community members who already face religious profiling, language barriers, or immigration vulnerability are placed at serious risk.”

– Kiran Kaur Gill, SALDEF Executive Director

In January, SALDEF filed a federal court brief in partnership with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California and Bird Marella, Rhow, Lincenberg, Drooks & Nessim, LLP, opposing the use of masked federal agents and concealed badges during immigration raids. Our brief defends two California laws designed to protect public safety: SB 627 (the No Secret Police Act) and SB 805(the No Vigilantes Act).

Standing With a National Coalition to Rein In ICE

SALDEF joined more than 500 civil and human rights organizations in urging Congress to reject increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol and to include meaningful guardrails and accountability measures in any Department of Homeland Security appropriations.

Why This Matters: These developments directly affect our community through workplace raids, border profiling, and the climate of fear pervading our neighborhoods.

ACT NOW: Urge your Senators and members of Congress to oppose expanded funding for ICE and border patrol and to support accountability measures that protect communities.

On Religious Liberty

Major Relief for Sikh Religious Workers

SALDEF welcomes a new regulatory change from the Department of Homeland Security that provides meaningful relief for R-1 visa religious workers. This ruling comes at a critical time, as green card backlogs for religious workers now stretch for decades. This rule eliminates the one-year waiting period that previously forced religious workers to spend extensive time outside the United States between R-1 visas.

What’s Next: While we celebrate this regulatory progress, SALDEF’s advocacy continues for the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act (RWPA). This legislation would provide the comprehensive solution our community needs, allowing those already in the U.S. on an R-1 visa who have applied for permanent residency to remain in the country for renewable periods until they receive a decision on their green card application.

On Language Access

Protecting Multilingual Services for 25 Million Americans

Many Sikh Americans, particularly our elders and recent immigrants, rely on Punjabi language services to access critical federal programs.

SALDEF is honored to sponsor groundbreaking legislation introduced by Representatives Meng, Chu, Goldman, and Vargas that protects language access for 25 million individuals in the U.S. with limited English proficiency. This legislation ensures that language is never a barrier to accessing healthcare through Medicare and Medicaid or receiving Social Security benefits and disability services.

On Hate Crimes

SALDEF signed on in support of bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Mazie Hirono and Susan Collins to improve the accuracy and credibility of hate crime reporting nationwide.

  • The Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act would require the Department of Justice to assess whether law enforcement agencies are reporting credible hate crime data and require jurisdictions that fail to do so to strengthen reporting systems and conduct community education to remain eligible for certain federal funding.

SALDEF emphasized that Sikh Americans are among the most targeted religious groups per capita and that consistent, reliable data is essential to accountability, effective policymaking, and ensuring impacted communities receive appropriate protections and resources. The full text of the legislation is available here.

ACT NOW

If you or someone you know experiences immigration enforcement activity, civil rights violations, or religious discrimination, contact SALDEF immediately. Our team is here to help.

This work is only possible because of you. Every victory we secure, every injustice we challenge, every community member we protect: it all flows from your commitment to our shared vision of justice, dignity, and equality.

Report an Incident Sustain This Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2026
Contact: Media@saldef.org

SALDEF Expresses Support for Administration’s Regulatory Change to Support Religious Workers in the United States

Washington, D.C. — The issuance of the Interim Final Rule (IFR) entitled “Improving Continuity for Religious Organizations and their Employees,” was announced by the Department of Homeland Security on January 14th, 2026. 

Previously, Sikhs on a temporary religious worker (R-1) visa were required to depart the U.S. after five years, the maximum period of stay for that visa. Then, they were able to possibly return to the country on a subsequent R-1 visa after spending at least one full year outside of the U.S. between R-1 visas. 

Now, with the issuance of this rule, there is no minimum time outside of the country before religious workers can return on a subsequent R-1 visa. R-1 religious workers are still required to depart the U.S., but there is no minimum period of time they must reside outside the U.S. before seeking readmission. In addition, this change applies to religious workers who departed the U.S. before the IFR was published, meaning that they are no longer subject to the one-year timeframe and can return as soon as their subsequent application is approved. 

The wait time for a green card for religious workers is now several decades long due to backlogs. This rule aims to provide religious workers and the communities that they serve some relief while workers await a decision on their green card applications. 

“The IFR is a step in the right direction, however, SALDEF’s ideal relief for Sikh religious workers remains the Religious Workforce Protection Act (RWPA), and we continue to urge Congress to enact this bill,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, SALDEF Executive Director. The RWPA is a bipartisan bill that, if enacted, would allow those already in the U.S. on an R-1 visa who have applied for permanent residency to remain in the country for renewable periods until they are able to receive their green card. The bill aims to ensure stability for faith communities nationwide.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: January 12, 2026

Contact: media@saldef.org

Sikh Civil Rights Group Challenges Federal Government Over “Secret Police” Tactics in California Immigration Raids

Washington, D.C. – In a legal showdown over masked federal agents and concealed badges during immigration enforcement, SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) has joined a federal court brief defending the ban against “secret policing” and vigilante impersonation.

The amicus brief, filed in United States v. California in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, supports two state laws under federal attack: SB 627, the No Secret Police Act, and SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act. The Trump administration is seeking to block both laws through a preliminary injunction.

SALDEF joined Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) and Bird Marella, Rhow, Lincenberg, Drooks & Nessim, LLP in defending the laws, which were enacted after expanded immigration raids in which officers concealed identities and obscured official insignia, practices the brief calls a “sharp break from longstanding law enforcement norms.”

“When law enforcement officers conceal their identities or when non officers impersonate police, community members who are already vulnerable due to religious profiling, language barriers, or immigration status are placed at serious risk,” said SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “California’s No Secret Police and No Vigilantes Acts are common sense protections,” Gill added. “They safeguard civil liberties, prevent abuse, and ensure that immigrant communities are not terrorized by an unaccountable force.”

The brief highlights how masked officers and hidden badges intensify fear and trauma for individuals with limited English proficiency, hearing impairments, or prior experiences with state or vigilante violence. Many Sikh Americans rely on visible markers of authority to distinguish legitimate law enforcement from criminal actors, particularly given the community’s history with hate violence.

SALDEF’s involvement in this amicus brief reflects its longstanding mission to protect the civil and human rights. As the court considers the federal challenge, SALDEF will continue to stand with affected communities to ensure transparency, accountability, and equal protection under the law.

About SALDEF
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund is the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights organization, working to protect the rights of Sikh Americans through policy advocacy, public education, and community empowerment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Jan 7, 2025
Contact: media@saldef.org

SALDEF Condemns Fatal Shooting During ICE Operation in Minneapolis, Calls for Accountability and Transparency

Washington, D.C. – January 7, 2026 – SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) is deeply disturbed by the fatal shooting of an unarmed woman during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis by a masked ICE agent. We are monitoring this situation closely as more information becomes available.

Federal law enforcement operations should protect communities, not terrorize them. While details continue to emerge, local authorities and independent video evidence raise serious concerns about the circumstances of this shooting. Minneapolis leaders, including Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey and City Council members, have questioned the federal narrative and demanded accountability and transparency—calls that SALDEF fully supports.

“Today’s shooting in Minnesota is a devastating reminder of the deadly consequences of aggressive immigration enforcement,” said SALDEF Executive Director Name, Kiran Kaur Gill. “No one should lose their life during a civil immigration action. We must demand accountability and transparency from those entrusted with power.”

SALDEF stands in solidarity with the Minneapolis community as they grieve this loss. We urge federal authorities to cooperate fully with independent investigations and to provide complete transparency about the actions that led to this tragedy. True public safety requires accountability, restraint, and respect for human life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: October 14, 2025

Contact: media@saldef.org

Vetoed but Not Silenced: SALDEF Statement on SB 509

Sacramento, California — SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) expresses profound disappointment in Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto SB 509, legislation that would have provided critical protections against transnational repression and enhanced law enforcement training to better serve California’s Sikh community.

While we are disheartened by this outcome, we are deeply moved by and profoundly grateful for the overwhelming community support demonstrated throughout this legislative process. Sikh Americans, civil rights advocates, and allies across California came together in an unprecedented show of solidarity: signing petitions, attending hearings, contacting their representatives, taking time away from work and family to testify, and making their voices heard in Sacramento.

Your dedication, your courage, and your unwavering commitment to this cause have been nothing short of extraordinary. This coalition understood that transnational repression is not just a Sikh issue, but a threat to all Californians and to the fundamental values of safety and freedom that define our state.

“The veto of SB 509 is a setback for the safety and security of all Californians,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “At a time when foreign governments seek to intimidate and silence their critics on American soil, this legislation would have equipped law enforcement with the tools and training needed to protect all residents. The outpouring of support we witnessed from community members who took time away from work and family to testify, to the countless individuals who contacted their representatives demonstrates that Californians understand what’s at stake. Together, we will create the California we all deserve, one that truly protects all its people.”

SALDEF remains committed to advancing policies that protect our community from transnational repression, ensure law enforcement is equipped to recognize and respond to these threats, and safeguard the civil rights of Sikh Americans. We are grateful to Senator Caballero for her leadership on combatting this issue and for every individual and organization that stood with us in support of SB 509.

Today’s setback does not diminish our hope but instead it fuels our determination. We invite all Californians who believe in safety, justice, and the fundamental right to live without fear to join us in building a future where every person can speak freely, practice their faith openly, and thrive without intimidation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 6 2025

Contact: media@saldef.org

SALDEF Denounces Recent Comments at Quantico, Virginia

Washington, D.C.—On September 30th, 2025, during a speech in Quantico, Virginia, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced sweeping new directives for troops targeting the appearance of personnel, including the elimination of religious exemptions for beards. A subsequent memorandum states that facial hair waivers will not be authorized, reverting to grooming standards pre 2010. 

SALDEF strongly opposes this directive. It represents a troubling disregard for the religious rights of service members—including Sikh Americans—who have long fought for the right to serve with their articles of faith intact.

For Sikhs, maintaining unshorn hair (kesh) and wearing a turban is not a matter of personal style. It is central to our faith and identity. To dismiss these expressions as mere violations of discipline not only ignores decades of progress on religious accommodation, but insults the integrity of Sikh soldiers who serve honorably while remaining true to their beliefs. This directive signals a dangerous retreat to exclusionary policies that alienate those who have fought to serve while staying true to their faith. 

“Religious accommodations for service members, especially Sikhs who wear turbans and beards, marked a significant step towards a more equitable nation,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “These new directives deliberately dismantle that progress. We will not stand by while this administration rolls back hard-won civil rights.”

We call on Secretary Hegseth to reverse this exclusionary directive. Serving one’s country should never require abandoning your faith. Sikh Americans have demonstrated that it is possible—and powerful—to serve with honor, courage, conviction and articles of the Sikh identity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2025

Contact: media@saldef.org

SALDEF Demands Accountability for 73-Year-Old Sikh Woman Subjected to Inhumane Conditions

San Francisco, CA – SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) condemns the inhumane treatment of Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh woman, who endured deplorable conditions after being detained. While Ms. Kaur has now safely returned to India, the egregious mistreatment she suffered and along with the complete disregard for her human dignity throughout this process demand accountability and systemic reform.

Ms. Kaur, who lived in California for more than three decades and complied with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requirements including biannual reporting for over 13 years without incident, was arrested by ICE on September 8 during a routine check-in in San Francisco. Despite being prepared to return to India as ordered by the courts, she was subjected to unconscionable treatment that violated basic standards of human decency.

Mr. Deepak Ahluwalia, Ms. Kaur’s legal counsel, expressed, “Ms. Harjit Kaur waited over 13 years for ICE to procure her travel documents. A 73 year-old grandmother with zero criminal history, who was neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community, should never have been detained – let alone treated the way she was while in ICE custody.”

During her detention at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield, California, Ms. Kaur was denied vegetarian meals, was not provided a bed, and suffered severe delays in receiving necessary medications. She endured overcrowded, loud, and distressing visiting conditions. Most disturbingly, she was transferred in the middle of the night to a detention facility in Georgia without notification to her family, community, or legal counsel. This cruel practice strips individuals of their fundamental right to maintain contact with support systems and legal representation.

“When this hit us, we didn’t even know where to start. At every phase, we were kept in the dark and had no idea what was next. The inhumane treatment she faced by ICE was deeply troubling, but her strength—and the incredible support from SALDEF, Deepak Ahluwalia, the Sikh Coalition, Jakara, Congressman Garamendi, and Harpreet Sandhu—helped her through.” shared Harjit’s close family friend, Heeral Mehta.

Ms. Kaur’s case exposes systemic failures within detention centers, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable individuals who pose no threat to public safety. Her experience represents a broader pattern of dehumanizing practices that must be addressed through comprehensive reform and oversight. Working alongside Attorney Deepak Ahluwalia, SALDEF immediately mobilized to support Ms. Kaur by applying sustained pressure from elected officials on federal agencies and advocating for her dignified treatment.

“This case demonstrates the urgent need for accountability and humane treatment in our immigration system,” said SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “No individual should endure such degrading treatment, especially someone who has faithfully complied with ICE requirements for over a decade. While we are relieved that Ms. Kaur has safely reached India, we will continue fighting to ensure no other person faces such inhumane treatment and that those responsible are held accountable.”

SALDEF calls on Congress and immigration authorities to implement immediate reforms to prevent similar abuses. SALDEF encourages community members to stay vigilant and visit www.saldef.org/kyr for resources to protect themselves and their loved ones.