Following the Trump administration’s decision to permit Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in places of worship, numerous members of a Sikh temple in New York have reduced their attendance at services. Another gurdwara, located in West Sacramento, California, has been receiving around six calls daily from members anxious about potential immigration raids. Many are also worried about the possibility of community members avoiding essential services typically available in these sacred environments.
Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento is among many religious organizations that have recently taken legal action against the Trump administration after the lifting of rules that restricted ICE from performing raids in designated “sensitive” locations. Members of the Sikh community across the U.S., primarily of Indian origin, report that anxiety surrounding the ongoing immigration enforcement has affected how some individuals, even naturalized citizens, practice their faith.
“Individuals may cease attending the temple, mosque, and other sacred places due to feelings of intimidation,” stated Narinder Singh Thandi, president of Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento. “These are holy spaces meant for assistance and prayer. People should be able to experience the freedoms available in the United States.”
The policy that previously barred ICE agents from entering sensitive locations, including playgrounds, schools, and hospitals, without official approval, was upheld through multiple administrations, including during President Donald Trump’s first term. However, the president revoked this rule in January, which led to considerable backlash from religious organizations and civil rights advocates. The White House has not responded to NBC News inquiries regarding concerns about attending worship services or ongoing lawsuits.
The lawsuit that the West Sacramento gurdwara joined as a plaintiff last week—initially filed by a group of Quaker congregations at the end of January—claims that “the mere threat of [immigration] enforcement discourages congregants from attending services, particularly those from immigrant communities.” Additionally, this week, two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations filed another lawsuit, asserting that the new policy violates religious freedom.
Thandi mentioned that his gurdwara serves between 1,500 and 5,000 individuals during gatherings and has not yet encountered immigration agents. However, rumors of raids occurring in the Bay Area—less than two hours from Sacramento—have left many feeling uneasy. Recent deportations of approximately 100 undocumented Indian immigrants using military aircraft have further heightened concerns among worshippers. He shared that he receives numerous calls each day from worried congregants asking about potential ICE raids at the temple and seeking advice on how to stay safe.
Thandi also noted that while the gurdwara provides food throughout the day, he has observed that around 100 individuals have altered their meal times to avoid the usual post-service lunch crowd, likely to prevent any accidental interactions with ICE.
Though attendance remains stable for now, he is “100% certain” that will change if protections for places of worship are not reinstated, which is why his temple joined the lawsuit. He added that besides rising concerns among worshippers, the looming threat of ICE raids raises the possibility that their sacred space may not be honored.
“We adhere to protocol. Upon entering, we sit on the floor and remove our shoes. We cover our heads,” Thandi explained. “We do not want anyone, especially an immigration officer, entering with their shoes on. We cannot predict what they may have on them. Weapons are definitely not allowed.” (While Sikhs are required to carry a kirpan—an article of faith representing compassion—it remains sheathed and symbolizes non-violence.)
According to the Sikh Coalition, a national civil rights organization, there are approximately 500,000 Sikhs and more than 350 gurdwaras nationwide. This community, which first immigrated to the U.S. in the 1800s, mainly resides in New York and California, although significant cultural hubs have also developed in places like Chicago, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. While specific data on undocumented Sikhs is unavailable, estimates from 2021 by the Pew Research Center suggest that there are about 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the U.S.
The Sikh Cultural Society in Queens, New York, has witnessed about a 10% decline in attendance, amounting to around 200 fewer worshippers, according to its president, Jatinder Boparai. He believes that those without documentation likely “do not wish to take any risks.”
Boparai expressed agreement with those pursuing the lawsuits, emphasizing the purpose of sacred spaces. “Worship places should not become venues for ICE raids because people wish to pray. We pray, especially as Sikhs, for peace for the entire world,” he noted.
However, Boparai maintained that he believes the government has “every right” to conduct immigration operations and that the crackdown was not unexpected given Trump’s campaign promises. He mentioned that most worshippers remain dedicated to attending, and no raids have occurred at their temple.
“I am a good citizen,” he stated. “I align with my government’s actions.”
Harpreet Singh Toor, a Sikh and longtime community leader in Queens, New York, noted that the heightened tensions have even caused anxiety for some green card holders and naturalized citizens. He shared that he has talked to several individuals who have held U.S. citizenship for years, yet live in fear that minor legal issues from decades past could jeopardize their status with immigration authorities. Moreover, families are canceling international travel plans due to worries about being denied re-entry into the country.
Trump’s immigration operations have indeed captured citizens, including a military veteran in Newark, New Jersey, who was detained and questioned by ICE.
Toor remarked that anxiety surrounding immigration has seeped into various aspects of life beyond the temple as well. “Business traffic is declining,” he observed. “Businesses are voicing their concerns. There is less foot traffic in places of worship, whether they be mosques or gurdwaras.”
Sikh gurdwaras play a vital role for many community members, especially Indian immigrants, serving as centers for social and commercial life. This makes the current immigration climate particularly troubling, stated Harman Singh, executive director of the Sikh Coalition. He relayed that he has received reports from gurdwaras nationwide about decreasing attendance, possibly indicating that some worshippers are missing out on crucial services.
“It’s genuinely heartbreaking because our houses of worship are locations that provide not only spiritual support but also community and essential services,” Singh shared. “These services encompass everything from mental health care to physical health and foster a sense of belonging.”
Singh also pointed out that Sikhs, being a minority in India, have faced persecution in their homeland, and concerns for their safety in the U.S. have intensified, especially following the uncovering of a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York City in 2023. The issue of immigration has added yet another layer of anxiety, he noted.
“Individuals fleeing religious persecution in India may seek asylum in the United States,” Singh explained. “Now, those same individuals are worried about their safety on U.S. soil and the added risks to their immigration status.”
