The Trump administration’s nationwide immigration enforcement blitz has sparked strong backlash from Sikh organizations after law enforcement officials visited gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey to look for undocumented immigrants. The move came as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked a Biden-era policy that had protected sensitive locations like places of worship from enforcement actions.
Gurdwaras Targeted Amid Immigration Raids
Reports indicate that multiple gurdwaras in the New York-New Jersey area were targeted as part of the enforcement operation. Federal authorities claim that some of these religious sites have allegedly been used as hubs for Sikh separatists and undocumented immigrants.
However, Sikh advocacy groups have strongly condemned the raids, arguing that they violate religious sanctity and create fear within immigrant communities.
“Gurdwaras are not just places of worship; they are vital community centers that provide support, nourishment, and spiritual solace,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF).
“Targeting these spaces threatens the sanctity of our faith and sends a chilling message to immigrant communities nationwide.”
Concerns Over Religious Freedom and Government Surveillance
The Sikh Coalition, another leading advocacy group, warned that DHS’s new policy—which removed protections for places of worship, schools, hospitals, and social service providers—could lead to increased government surveillance and raids at Sikh religious sites.
“The idea that our gurdwaras could be subject to government surveillance and raids by armed law enforcement is unacceptable,” the organization stated.
“It will burden religious exercise by limiting Sikhs’ ability to gather and practice their faith freely.”
The group also pointed out that the move reminded many Sikhs of historical government crackdowns that have led to deadly consequences in the past.
Nationwide Immigration Crackdown Intensifies
Sunday’s large-scale immigration enforcement operation led to the arrest of nearly 1,000 people, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The raids were not limited to New York and New Jersey—immigration enforcement actions were also reported in:
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Los Angeles
- Austin, Texas
- Puerto Rico
- Colorado
The White House’s “border czar” Tom Homan called the enforcement actions a “gamechanger”, stating that the administration’s goal is to prioritize criminals and national security threats. However, he acknowledged that the scope of arrests could expand to include more undocumented immigrants.
“We’re prioritizing criminal aliens,” Homan told CNN.
“But at some point, we have to widen the scope to fugitives as well.”
Legal and Political Fallout
The immigration raids have triggered widespread fear among immigrant communities. Reports from Chicago suggest that some migrants have stopped going to work or attending school due to fears of being detained.
In response, immigrant advocacy groups in Chicago have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that:
- The city was unfairly targeted due to its “sanctuary city” policies
- The raids violate the First Amendment right to free speech
- They also infringe upon Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure
As Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign intensifies, backlash continues to mount, particularly among religious and immigrant advocacy groups. The targeting of gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey has fueled concerns over religious freedom, government overreach, and the treatment of immigrant communities. With ICE operations expected to continue, legal battles and public protests are likely to escalate in the coming weeks.
