Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

White House, GOP infrastructure talks hit crucial stage

White House, GOP infrastructure talks hit crucial stage
Republicans did increase their offer and have been working in good faith with the White House, according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss the private talks.

White House, GOP infrastructure talks hit crucial stage

Lawsuit reveals that Swami Narayan Temple in New Jersey was built on forced labor

Lawsuit reveals that Swami Narayan Temple in New Jersey was built on forced labor
The lawsuit takes aim at the leaders of the Hindu organization known as Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, for human trafficking and exploitation of workers through low wages. 

Lawsuit reveals that Swami Narayan Temple in New Jersey was built on forced labor

Indian origin man charged with assaulting, killing mom on Mother's Day eve

Indian origin man charged with assaulting, killing mom on Mother's Day eve
An Indian origin man has been charged with assaulting and killing his own mom on the eve of Mother's Day, according to a New York prosecutor.

Indian origin man charged with assaulting, killing mom on Mother's Day eve

20 killed as Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas rocket barrage

20 killed as Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas rocket barrage
Tensions simmering in Jerusalem in recent days have taken deadly turn as militants in the Gaza Strip and Israel exchanged attacks, with at least 20 people killed, according to officials.

20 killed as Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas rocket barrage

As virus engulfs India, diaspora watches with despair

As virus engulfs India, diaspora watches with despair
Many Indian Americans are wracked with guilt over emerging from more than a year of isolation as relatives overseas struggle to find vaccines, hospital beds and, fatefully, their breath.

As virus engulfs India, diaspora watches with despair

US officials: Anxiety drove vaccine reactions in 5 states

US officials: Anxiety drove vaccine reactions in 5 states
Many of the 64 people affected either fainted or reported dizziness. Some got nauseous or vomited, and a few had racing hearts, chest pain or other symptoms. 

US officials: Anxiety drove vaccine reactions in 5 states