Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
International

US probes reports of Sikh turbans being confiscated at Mexico border

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 Aug, 2022 11:04 AM
  • US probes reports of Sikh turbans being confiscated at Mexico border

Washington, Aug 4 (IANS) US authorities have said investigations were underway into reports that turbans of Sikh asylum seekers were confiscated after they were detained at the country's border with Mexico, the media reported.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), nearly 50 Sikh migrants have had their turbans taken away, the BBC reported.

It said that the turban confiscations "blatantly violate federal law" and are inconsistent with the US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) own non-discrimination policies.

In a letter sent to CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus on August 1, the ACLU called the seizures "ongoing, serious religious-freedom violations".

Meanwhile, Vanessa Pineda, a lawyer of the ACLU of Arizona, told the BBC that no proper explanation has been given about what, if any, security concerns a turban could raise.

"It's just not acceptable. They need to find another alternative and to stop this. It's dehumanising," she added.

In response, Magnus said the border agency expects its staff to "treat all migrants we encounter with respect", the BBC reported citing A Washington Post report.

"An internal investigation has been opened to address this matter," the CBP Commissioner was quoted as saying.

According to CBP statistics, nearly 13,000 Indian citizens, including many from Punjab, have been detained by Border Patrol officers at the US-Mexico border in the fiscal year that began in October 2021.

Of these, about three-quarters, or nearly 10,000, have been detained in the Border Patrol's Yuma sector, a 202 km expanse of desert and rocky mountains that stretches from California's Imperial Sand Dunes to the border between Arizona's Yuma and Pima counties.

MORE International ARTICLES

Experts worry about how US will see next COVID surge coming

Experts worry about how US will see next COVID surge coming
As coronavirus infections rise in some parts of the world, experts are watching for a potential new COVID-19 surge in the U.S. — and wondering how long it will take to detect. Despite disease monitoring improvements over the last two years, they say, some recent developments don't bode well. 

Experts worry about how US will see next COVID surge coming

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID cases in US

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID cases in US
The U.S. will likely see an uptick in cases caused by the omicron descendant BA.2 starting in the next few weeks, according to Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute.

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID cases in US

White House monitoring CP Rail labour dispute

White House monitoring CP Rail labour dispute
The White House says it is "closely monitoring" the situation and is keeping tabs on negotiations, as are administration officials, including the U.S. ambassador, and cabinet secretaries. 

White House monitoring CP Rail labour dispute

Plane carrying 132 people crashes in China

Plane carrying 132 people crashes in China
The China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 was flying from Kunming to Guangzhou when it plunged to the ground in Guangxi province and caught fire, the BBC reported.

Plane carrying 132 people crashes in China

Canada sounding bullish on permanent daylight time

Canada sounding bullish on permanent daylight time
They include Sen. Ed Markey, who couldn't contain his excitement this week when the Senate unanimously passed a plan that would make daylight time permanent across the country.

Canada sounding bullish on permanent daylight time

Not the time to lower COVID defences: White House

Not the time to lower COVID defences: White House
White House officials say the shortfall will soon make it harder to access the vaccines, booster shots, tests and drug therapies that have become vital tools in the fight against COVID-19.

Not the time to lower COVID defences: White House