Washington, DC: A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced new federal legislation aimed at addressing discrimination, hate crimes, and violence faced by Sikh Americans, marking a significant step toward formal recognition of anti-Sikh bias at the US national level.
Congressman David Valadao of California’s 22nd Congressional District and Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey on 20 January 2026 jointly introduced the Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act, a bill that would establish a dedicated Department of Justice (DOJ) Task Force on Anti-Sikh Discrimination. The task force would be mandated to work in collaboration with the Sikh community and focus on prevention, documentation, and accountability.
“As a co-founder and co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I’m proud to stand firmly against anti-Sikh discrimination,” Congressman Valadao said. He noted that Sikh Americans have faced heightened discrimination and hate crimes for decades following the 1984 Sikh Genocide, adding that it is “past time for the Department of Justice to take meaningful action to address this violence and transnational repression.” Valadao emphasized his commitment to representing the Central Valley’s Sikh community and advancing efforts to protect their rights and safety.
Congressman Gottheimer said the legislation emerged from direct engagement with Sikh families and community leaders in New Jersey. “After listening directly to Sikh families and community leaders in North Jersey it is clear that Congress has to take decisive action,” he said. According to Gottheimer, the bill would translate those conversations into concrete steps by strengthening how the federal government defines, tracks, and prevents anti-Sikh hate crimes, ensuring that every American can practice their faith “freely and safely.”
Community organizations and advocacy groups across the United States welcomed the proposed legislation. Dr. Pritpal Singh of the American Sikh Caucus Committee said the bill represents “a serious and necessary step toward protecting Sikh Americans and upholding the rule of law,” noting that members of the community have long endured hate, violence, and credible threats to their lives.
Gurdev Singh of the American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee described the legislation as vital for a community that came to the United States seeking safety, opportunity, and freedom of worship. He said the organization pledged full support for both the passage of the bill and its implementation in partnership with the U.S. government.
Support also came from regional and national Sikh bodies. Himmat Singh of the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast thanked the sponsors for demonstrating a clear understanding of the Sikh community’s needs and pledged full backing for the bill’s passage. The Sikh Coalition highlighted that Sikhs remain disproportionately more likely to experience hate than the average American, describing the proposed task force as an important step toward accountability, prevention, and community safety.
Advocates stressed the importance of formal recognition of anti-Sikh bias within federal law. Bhupindar Singh of the New Jersey Sikh Youth Alliance said the absence of a clear legal framework had long left the community vulnerable to prejudice and systemic exclusion. He explained that by establishing a formal federal definition of anti-Sikh hate, the legislation would equip law enforcement and educators with tools to identify, track, and prevent discrimination, addressing a unique mix of religious bias, hate violence, and transnational repression.
Echoing this view, Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF, said the bill marks a historic step in addressing decades of underreported anti-Sikh hate, applauding the sponsors for advancing long-overdue protections. United Sikhs also welcomed the initiative, stating that the proposed DOJ task force sends a clear message that hate has no place in America and reflects strong leadership in defense of religious freedom.
Under the proposed legislation, the DOJ task force would be responsible for drafting an official definition of anti-Sikhism to guide charging decisions and improve hate crime data collection. It would also develop educational programs for local law enforcement agencies and educational institutions, and submit an annual report to Congress outlining trends and data related to hate crimes against Sikhs.
The introduction of the Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act signals growing bipartisan recognition of the challenges faced by Sikh Americans and represents a move toward institutional measures aimed at ensuring safety, dignity, and equal protection under the law.
Official Copy of Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act (US Congress PDF)
