SALDEF in the News
US immigration system blamed for Arizona death
A six-year-old Sikh girl, Gurupreet Kaur was found dead by U.S. Border Patrol agents in a remote desert outside the Lukeville, Arizona point of entry on Wednesday, June 12th. The group of five Indian nationals were dropped near the border by human smugglers, after which the girl’s mother left her with a woman and her child and went in search of water. The article includes SALDEF’s Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill statement, “This story reflects the tragic culmination of a broken immigration system, immigration policies that deny basic human dignity and human rights particularly for asylum seekers and the unfortunate practice of individuals moving those most vulnerable for profit.”
Recent Events
*ICE Raids to Deport Migrant Families Set to Begin Sunday in 10 US Cities
Despite reported misgivings by the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE agents are prepared to start rounding up migrant families with existing deportation orders Sunday in 10 major cities around the country. According to reports by the Washington Post and CNN, both citing confidential sources, the raids are to begin before dawn Sunday at the last-known addresses of families who had been ordered to leave the country.
Sikh National Center Holds 4th Annual Blood Drive Onsite
The blood drives organizer, Amrit Singh, asserted that the drive was held to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. By the end of the blood drive, twenty-three donors were successful in donating blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston, Texas.
US admn’s religious waiver leads to many Sikh youths joining military
Post the waiver granted by the Obama administration allowing Sikh men to keep their beard and turban, at least 15 Sikh youths have joined the military. According to the Sikh American Veterans Association, There are currently over 60 Sikh males serving in the US Army with their turbans and beards.
US Sikh Body Expresses Concern Over Ban on Religious Symbols in Quebec
In response to the banning of religious symbols and clothing in Public Sector Jobs in Quebec through the passing of Bill 21, the Sikh Sewak Society International USA released a public statement. The statement expressed concern for the 15,000 Sikhs living in Quebec and their right to wear Sikh articles of faith such as the Dastaar. The bill prohibits school teachers, police officers, judges and other public employees from wearing religious symbols in the workplace.
Americans Think Pols’ Heated Rhetoric Can Cause Violence
After years of falling, hate crimes have risen across the nation over the last three years. A recent report from the Pew Research Center found that 78% of Americans believe such rhetoric from elected officials makes violence against targeted groups more likely. Additional research also shows that Trump’s election is likely to have made those who hold racist beliefs more comfortable with their views.
The Things Brown-Skinned Men Do to Make People Comfortable
This week on Man Up, Simran Jeet Singh shares his experience with racial harassment due to his Sikh faith and how Sikhism helped him navigate through his circumstances. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, Overcast, Google Play, and iHeart.
Federal, State Officials Urge Locals To Prep For Hate Crimes Responses
With reported hate crimes on a rise, Federal and state officials urged local leaders to proactively create plans to address hate crimes in their communities during the Indiana Civil Rights Commission conference. Also, Department of Justice specialist Ken Bergeron urged communities to be prepared to address such crimes. He suggested the creation of response plans for events like shootings at houses of worship and yearly rehearsals of these plans.
*In light of the recent news that ICE will be holding raids starting Sunday, June 22 SALDEF is providing information on your rights regarding raids. If you or someone you know needs to know their rights please call us at 202-393-2700 or email info@saldef.org.
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