Sikh communities fear immigration raids as Trump ends sanctuary for houses of worship
Sikh community members say anxiety over the immigration crackdown is hindering how some, including naturalized citizens, practice their faith.
After the Trump administration said it would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in houses of worship, hundreds of members of a Sikh temple in New York have stopped attending services regularly. Another gurdwara, or temple, in West Sacramento, California, has been fielding a half dozen calls daily from members fearful of immigration raids. And others are concerned that community members will begin to forgo essential services often offered in these sacred spaces.
Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento is among the dozens of religious groups that have sued the Trump administration over the past few weeks after the removal of restrictions that prevented ICE from conducting raids in places considered “sensitive” locations. Across the U.S., members of the Sikh community, who are largely of Indian descent, said they have already seen how anxieties around being caught up in the ongoing immigration crackdown have impeded the way in which some, including naturalized citizens, practice their faith.
“People will stop going to the temple and the mosque and different places, because they’re going to feel threatened,” said Narinder Singh Thandi, president of Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento. “This is only a holy place that people come for help. People come to pray. They should be able to enjoy the freedom of the United States of America.”
The policy that prevented ICE agents from entering so-called sensitive locations, including playgrounds, schools and hospitals, without approval from supervisors had remained intact through several administrations, including during President Donald Trump’s first term. But the president rescinded the rule in January, prompting widespread criticism from religious groups and civil rights organizations. The White House did not respond to NBC News’ questions about fears around attending worship services or the ongoing lawsuits.
The suit that the West Sacramento gurdwara joined as a plaintiff last week, which was first filed by a group of Quaker congregations at the end of January, argued that “the very threat of that [immigration] enforcement deters congregants from attending services, especially members of immigrant communities.” And this week, another two dozen Christian and Jewish groups filed a separate suit, arguing that the new policy infringes on religious freedom.
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