US to probe claims Sikh turbans taken at border with Mexico

Border Patrol officers Getty Pictures

US authorities say these are investigating reports the fact that turbans of Sikh asylum seekers were confiscated after they were jailed at the border.

According to human being rights advocates, almost 50 migrants have experienced religious headgear removed.

Sikhism needs that men use turbans and do not cut their hair.

Report numbers of migrants through India have been detained at the US-Mexico edge in recent months.

Numerous hail from India’s Punjab, where over fifty percent of residents are Sikh.

The particular American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has said the turban confiscations “blatantly violate federal law” and are sporadic with the CBP’s personal non-discrimination policies.

In a letter delivered to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus on 1 August, it called the seizures “ongoing, serious religious-freedom violations”.

Lawyer Vanessa Pineda, from the ACLU of Az, told the BBC no proper description has been given as to what – if any – security concerns a turban could raise.

She mentioned it is part of the wider situation where the personal property of migrants is being confiscated and disposed of without having explanation or alternative.

“It’s simply not acceptable, ” the girl added. “They have to find another alternate and to stop this particular. It’s dehumanising. ”

In a declaration quoted by the Wa Post, the CBP’s Mr Magnus said the border company expects its personnel to “treat almost all migrants we encounter with respect. inch

“An internal investigation has been opened up to address this matter, ” his declaration said.

According to CBP statistics published online, nearly 13, 000 Indian citizens have been detained simply by Border Patrol officers at the US-Mexico edge in the fiscal calendar year that began in October.

Of these, regarding three-quarters – nearly 10, 000 : have been detained within the Border Patrol’s Yuma sector, a 202 km (126 mile) expanse of desert and rocky hills that stretches through California’s Imperial Sand Dunes to the boundary between Arizona’s Yuma and Pima counties. In 2019. the six-year-old Indian citizen from the Punjab had been found dead close to the Arizona town of Lukeville in a high-profile case.

Authorities later on said the little female died of heatstroke in extreme temperatures of over 42 C (108 F) after her mom left her along with another group of migrants to go and look for water.