Asylum Seeking Indian Sikhs Have Turbans Taken Away In Federal Custody

A report this week in the India Tribune alleges mistreatment of 52 illegal immigrants from India held at the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon.  Most of these are Punjabi speaking Sikhs.  The immigrants are seeking asylum on the grounds of feared religious and political persecution in India.  In addition to the general problem of prison conditions, the Sikh inmates have had their turbans taken away. Some of the immigrants have now hired lawyers, so their conditions are improving. Community members have furnished beanies as head coverings to some Sikhs.