US immigration officials conduct raids in gurdwaras in New York, New Jersey
New York: Immigration enforcement officials from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted raids in gurdwaras across New York and New Jersey on Sunday to identify undocumented immigrants. The action has drawn criticism from Sikh organisations, which have expressed concern over the sanctity of their places of worship being compromised.
A DHS spokesperson defended the move, stating, “This action empowers CBP and ICE officials to enforce immigration laws and apprehend criminal aliens, including those involved in violent crimes such as murder and rape. Criminals can no longer use places like schools and churches as safe havens.”
The raids follow a policy shift under US President Donald Trump’s administration, which rescinded guidelines from the Biden era that protected “sensitive” locations such as religious institutions from enforcement actions.
Vice President JD Vance echoed similar sentiments, saying, “If a person convicted of a violent crime is hiding, law enforcement must act to ensure public safety, irrespective of their immigration status.”
However, the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF) criticised the move. Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill expressed alarm over the targeting of gurdwaras, stating that the actions threaten the sanctity of the Sikh faith and send a “chilling message” to immigrant communities.
The Sikh Coalition highlighted concerns over decreased attendance at gurdwaras, which could impact the ability to practice essential religious activities. “The idea of armed law enforcement conducting raids in gurdwaras is unacceptable to the Sikh faith tradition,” the organisation stated.
The DHS actions are part of a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants, with several reported arrests and deportations under Trump’s immigration policies.
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Indian visa application centre suspended indefinitely in Bangladesh's Chattogram
Dhaka (PTI): India on Sunday suspended visa operations at its mission in Bangladeshi port city of Chattogram until further notice, according to media reports.
The move comes in the wake of a fresh wave of unrest witnessed in the country following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
His death triggered attacks and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-hurling at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence in Chattogram on Thursday.
Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led protests last year that led to the ouster of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections.
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He was shot in the head on December 12 by masked gunmen at an election campaign in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on December 18.
“Due to the recent security incident at Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong (Chattogram) will remain suspended from 21/12/2025 until further notice,” the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) said in a brief statement.
The announcement for reopening the visa centre will be made after reviewing the situation, the statement added. The decision came into effect on Sunday.
There are five IVAC facilities across Bangladesh at Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Sylhet. An IVAC official told PTI that the other four offices have remained operational as of Sunday.
India on Thursday resumed operations at its visa application centre in Dhaka, a day after closing it over escalated security concerns, but closed for a brief period two other identical facilities in Rajshahi and Khulna as anti-India protestors tried to march towards the Indian missions there.
On Saturday, security was strengthened at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the visa application centre in Bangladesh's Sylhet city.
The enhanced security measures were put in place to ensure that “no third party can exploit the situation,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune newspaper on Saturday.
Hadi, 32, was laid to rest on Saturday amid extra-tight security beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University mosque.
Tens of thousands of people attended the funeral prayers, and ahead of the ritual, chanted anti-India slogans like “Delhi or Dhaka - Dhaka, Dhaka” and “brother Hadi’s blood will not be allowed to go in vain.”
Earlier on December 17, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh envoy Riaz Hamidullah and conveyed its strong concern over certain extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” it said.
The envoy was apprised of India's strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh, it added.
