Indian American Impact Condemns Trump’s Escalating Attacks on Immigrants, Protesters, and Religious Minorities

Washington, D.C. —  In the span of 4 days, the Trump Administration has unleashed a coordinated series of attacks targeting immigrant communities, religious minorities, and Americans exercising their right to protest — a dangerous escalation that threatens civil liberties and core democratic values.

Indian American Impact vigorously denounces these actions, which reflect a broader coordinated effort to weaponize immigration policy, suppress dissent, and undermine the pluralism at the heart of American democracy.

Chintan Patel, Executive Director of Indian American Impact, issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration is engaged in a systematic campaign to criminalize immigrants who ‘do not look like us’, silence dissent, and deny the diversity that defines America.

From banning travel to punishing Nepali refugees, from enabling a climate where Members of Congress feel emboldened to attack a Sikh prayer leader, to deploying troops against peaceful protesters, this administration is shamelessly targeting those who seek a better life or dare to speak out.

Let’s be clear: these actions are not about safety. They are about control and illegally weaponizing immigration policy to consolidate power through fear.

The America we believe in does not scapegoat the vulnerable or trample fundamental rights for political gain. We believe in an America where immigrants are welcomed, faith is free, and dissent is protected — not punished.

Impact stands with our communities, our allies, and everyone fighting for a more just and inclusive future. We will not be silent in the face of this cruelty — and we will not back down.”

Today, the Trump Administration’s new travel ban on multiple countries goes into effect, citing national security as a pretext for advancing what is perceived as a racist and exclusionary policy. The ban will separate families, harm businesses, and deepen fear in immigrant communities. At the same time, the administration has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Nepali immigrants, stripping lawful residents of long-standing protections.

In Congress, Republican member Mary Miller publicly denounced a Sikh faith leader for delivering a prayer in the House chamber on Friday — stating he “should never have been allowed” and falsely claiming “America was founded as a Christian nation.” And in a move to suppress opposition, the federal government has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to California to deter protests against ICE immigration raids — a direct violation of First Amendment rights.

Impact urges elected leaders and all Americans to reject these assaults on our values and stand up for immigrant justice, religious freedom, and democratic rights.

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Indian American Impact is a national organization that elevates the voices of Indian Americans and South Asians to ensure that every level of government represents us and our values. Impact works to mobilize, engage and elect South Asians in an effort to build a world in which all Americans have the opportunity to thrive.

For Immediate Release:
June 9, 2025

Contact: Sarah Shah
sarah@iaimpact.org