As the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to combat illegal immigration, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have begun visiting gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey to locate “criminal aliens.” Shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Homeland Security revoked a policy implemented during the Biden administration that had restricted law enforcement operations in or near “sensitive” areas, such as places of worship, including gurdwaras and churches.
In a directive, Homeland Security’s acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman reversed the Biden-era policy for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), removing limitations on enforcement actions in “sensitive” locations.
According to a report by news agency PTI, DHS believes that some gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey are allegedly being used as hubs by Sikh separatists and undocumented immigrants.
“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murderers and rapists—who have illegally come into our country,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the spokesperson added.
Sikh organisations raise concerns
The move has sparked strong criticism from some Sikh organizations, which view the actions as a “threat to the sanctity of their faith.”
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) released a statement voicing concern over the decision to revoke guidelines that previously limited immigration enforcement in “sensitive areas,” including places of worship.
“This troubling shift in policy comes in tandem with community reports of DHS agents visiting gurdwaras in the New York and New Jersey areas just days after the directive was issued,” SALDEF stated.
“We are deeply alarmed by the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to eliminate protections for sensitive areas and then target places of worship like gurdwaras,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of SALDEF. Gill emphasized that gurdwaras are not just places of worship but also serve as community centres offering support, nourishment, and spiritual solace to Sikhs and the broader community.
I understand these are uncertain and frightening times, particularly for our immigrant communities. As the son of immigrants, I deeply emphasize with the challenges many are now facing.
Hoboken stands united in support of our neighbors, regardless of where you were born or who… pic.twitter.com/7tkeCULoWD
— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) January 25, 2025
“Targeting these spaces for enforcement actions threatens the sanctity of our faith and sends a chilling message to immigrant communities nationwide,” said Kiran Kaur Gill.
The Sikh Coalition criticized the Trump administration’s decision to revoke the DHS policy on “protected areas,” which had included hospitals, schools, and social service providers. The change, they warned, allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct surveillance, investigations, arrests, and raids at gurdwaras.
“The idea that our gurdwaras could be subject to government surveillance and raids by armed law enforcement with or without warrants is unacceptable to the Sikh faith tradition. It will burden religious exercise by limiting the ability of Sikhs to gather and associate with one another in accordance with our faith,” the Sikh Coalition stated.
“It also harkens to dark periods in our collective memory when governments interfered in the ability of Sikhs to practice our faith freely—with deadly consequences,” they added. “If Sikhs—whether documented or undocumented—are concerned with gurdwara raids and surveillance, gurdwaras may well be impacted by decreased attendance, and thus an inability to carry out essential religious practices in a meaningful manner,” the organization noted.
