Afghan Sikhs continue to face some of the greatest difficulties of displacement among marginalized groups worldwide, and arguably, nowhere is this more true than in India, where many have relocated. Here, Afghan Sikhs are considered outsiders, often lacking legal status, economic opportunity, and long-term stability.
In August 2022, the Sikh Coalition, together with Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law and other partners, contributed to the long-term goal of solving this problem by helping with the resettlement of a multigenerational Sikh family to New York through the US Significant Public Benefit Parole Program. We at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law are proud to have been part of this year-and-a-half-long collaboration that has successfully granted all 13 members of the Soni family asylum in the USA.
The Search for Safety
Sikhs have long faced difficulties in Afghanistan despite a history in the country going back more than 200 years. Under Taliban rule between 1996 and 2001, restrictions on religious practice and way of life were common, and yet even afterward, subsequent administrations rarely yielded any positive changes for the minorities.
For context, by 2018, the number of gurdwaras in Kabul had been reduced from 8 to 1. With the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, things are not expected to get any better for Sikhs.
As people fled the country, many sought refuge in India, where familial ties were common. Even so, persecution remained, largely due to the country’s history of Sikh-Hindu conflict, particularly between the Khalistan movement in the 1980s.
Nearly half a century has passed, but the cultural scars remain among many people. Hopes of families for safety as they fled Afghanistan were often dashed as they found themselves targets of oppression in a new environment.
This is why many try to find solace in the West. Unfortunately, not everyone has the means or resources to afford the usual channels, leading many to turn to shadier services in an attempt to find a better life.
This doesn’t have to be the case. With the proper support backing them, asylum seekers can find safety in the United States through legal means.
A Means to Start Anew
The United States Significant Public Benefit Parole Program grants beneficiaries with security and the opportunity to start a new life in America. This is a far cry from the situation faced by many who remain in India with no hope or prospect for future opportunities.
The program is offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for individuals who are ineligible for other means of entry, but are looking to secure entry for humanitarian reasons or for, as the name of the program implies, significant public benefit.
However, the program is never a certain means of entering the country. Eligibility for parole depends on the applicant’s ability to prove that their admission into the United States would present a positive outcome for the public.
In the case of the Soni family, this means providing legal, financial, advocacy, community, and logistical support to demonstrate that the entry of 13 Afghan Sikhs is a win not just for the family but for American citizens as a whole – an expectation the Sonis are eager to live up to in their new home.
A Family’s Thanks
Family representative Kulwinder Singh Soni stated in a press release, “My family and I are so very thankful for the overwhelming support we have received from the community since our arrival here, both within the Long Island sangat and across the United States.” The family made it clear how the solidarity with the community, even before their integration, played an important part in their resettlement.
Contributors to the effort included Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island, led by Paramjit Singh Bedi, supported by the local Sangat, Deepak Ahluwalia and the legal team at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, Mandeep Singh and the Dasvandh Network, the World Sikh Organization, the Bullar Foundation, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Southall in London, and the sevadaars of My Family, My Responsibility, especially the late Dalip Singh Sethi ji. Former Sikh Coalition.
Looking to the Future
While the family has not outlined specific plans in America, there is a sense of optimism for what the future holds for them. In their words, they can “look to the future as we build our lives here with security and opportunity for each of us.”
At the very least, life on U.S. soil includes legal recognition as part of the integration process – a basic right that, in India, is often kept far out of reach of many families of the same background.
Solidarity With Those in Strife
Sing Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law stands in unwavering solidarity with Afghan Sikhs and Hindus who continue to face danger and persecution. Together with our allies, we provide our services to vulnerable communities striving for the basic right to live – and the capacity to do so comfortably.
We want to ensure that U.S. authorities do not overlook the struggles of these people, and we will do our part to campaign for the resettlement of these men, women, and children on American soil. We also invite you, dear readers, to partake in our joint efforts by visiting the Sikh Coalition’s advocacy page to learn more.
You may also consider donating to the cause to help provide the assistance these communities need.
Finally, if you or your family happen to suffer the same plight and need a path to freedom, we at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law offer free consultations at (559)-878-4958.
Immigration Assistance With Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law
Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law understand the difficulties asylum seekers face when trying to enter the United States. We aim to aid in that goal by providing expert legal support for those who need it, eventually securing them a stable future of their own.
California immigration lawyers at our firm are on standby to assist clients with applications and legal requirements to maximize the odds of entry. Work with Attorney Deepak Ahluwalia and his team today when you call our firm at (559)-878-4958.
