RELEASE: Gottheimer Introduces Bipartisan Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, January 20, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the Sikh American Congressional Caucus, formally introduced the bipartisan Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act, co-led with Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus.

The Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act would establish a Task Force on Anti-Sikh Discrimination within the U.S. Department of Justice, tasked with:

• Creating a formal federal definition of anti-Sikh hate;
• Developing an educational program on anti-Sikh discrimination for schools, law enforcement, and higher education institutions;
• Issuing an annual report to Congress on hate crimes and discrimination targeting Sikh Americans; and
• Engaging directly with Sikh communities and advocacy organizations to inform prevention and enforcement efforts.

The legislation comes amid a continued rise in anti-Sikh hate and discrimination nationwide. Sikhs remain the third most-targeted religious group in the United States, with more than 150 reported attacks last year alone. New Jersey is home to approximately 100,000 Sikh residents, one of the largest Sikh populations in the country.

Find the bill text here.

"After listening directly to Sikh families and community leaders in North Jersey it is clear that Congress has to take decisive action," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "The bipartisan Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act will turn those conversations into action - strengthening how our federal government defines, tracks, and prevents anti-Sikh hate crimes so that every American can practice their faith freely and safely."

The legislation is supported by national and local Sikh organizations, including the Sikh Coalition, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), New Jersey Sikh Gurdwara Council, American Sikh Caucus Committee, and the New Jersey Sikh Youth Alliance.

"As a co-founder and co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I'm proud to stand firmly against anti-Sikh discrimination," said Congressman David Valadao (CA-22). "For decades following the 1984 Sikh Genocide, Sikh Americans have faced heightened discrimination and hate crimes, and it's past time for the Department of Justice to take meaningful action to address this violence and transnational repression. I'm honored to represent the Central Valley's vibrant Sikh community in Congress, and I remain committed to raising awareness and advancing efforts to protect their rights and safety."

""We are grateful to Congressman David Valadao, co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, and other Members of Congress for their strong support of the Sikh Task Force legislation. For far too long, members of our community have endured hate, violence, and credible threats to their lives. This legislation-by establishing a dedicated task force to prevent and combat crimes-marks a serious and necessary step toward protecting Sikh Americans and upholding the rule of law. We are deeply grateful for your leadership and your commitment to ensuring that no American is targeted for practicing their faith," said Dr. Pritpal Singh, American Sikh Caucus Committee," said Dr. Pritpal Singh, American Sikh Caucus Committee.

"Across America, members of the Sikh community are seeing an increase in hate and violence. The American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is deeply grateful to Congressman Valadao and his colleagues for introducing legislation to protect and defend Sikh Americans. We came to America seeking opportunity and life free from the violence of our homeland. This country has given us a place to raise our families, support our communities, and worship freely. We pledge our full support in helping to pass this legislation and assisting the United States government in its implementation. Thank you," said Gurdev Singh, American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee.

""Congressman Valadao, Gottheimer and distinguished colleagues, thank you for introducing this vital legislation to protect the Sikh American community from ongoing threats of violence and hate. Through your leadership in sponsoring this legislation, you demonstrate a deep understanding of the Sikh American community's needs. The Sikh Coordination Committee, East Coast, proudly pledges its full support for the passage of this important legislation. Thank you," said Himmat Singh, Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast.

"We are grateful to Congressman Gottheimer, Congressman Valadao, and others for championing the safety of Sikhs. Sikhs remain disproportionately more likely to experience hate than the average American, and we are living through a period in which hateful rhetoric and violence against too many communities are on the rise. By creating a task force focused on naming, documenting, and preventing hate crimes and other forms of discrimination against Sikhs, this bill takes an important step toward accountability, prevention, and ensuring that our communities can live and worship safely," said the Sikh Coalition.

"For too long, the Sikh community has lived in the shadow of prejudice and systemic exclusion because the law lacked a clear framework to define the specific hate we face. By establishing a formal federal definition, this bill provides law enforcement and educators with the vital tools to identify, track, and ultimately prevent anti-Sikh hate and discrimination. We are proud to stand with Congressman Gottheimer and Congressman Valadao for transforming a shared vision into a legislative reality for Sikhs across the nation. Sikh communities nationwide agree that this bill marks a critical and long-overdue step in the post-9/11 era. The legislation, stemming from a similar bill in New Jersey, aims to combat a unique combination of hate violence, religious discrimination, and transnational repression by ensuring the Sikh community receives vital protection through local and federal law enforcement training, educational awareness, and improved reporting mechanisms," said Bhupindar Singh, Outreach Lead for the New Jersey Sikh Youth Alliance Inc.

"For too long, the Sikh community has lived in the shadow of prejudice and systemic exclusion because the law lacked a clear framework to define the specific hate we face. By establishing a formal federal definition, this bill provides vital tools to identify, track, and ultimately prevent anti-Sikh hate and discrimination. SALDEF applauds Representative Gottheimer and Representative Valadao for taking this historic step in addressing decades of underreported instances of anti-Sikh hate," said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director, SALDEF.

"Thank You Congressman Valadao and Congressman Gottheimer for introducing the bipartisan Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act and standing with the Sikh community against hate. This important step toward creating a DOJ task force to address anti-Sikh bias reflects strong leadership and a commitment to justice. At a time when discrimination remains a serious threat, this bill sends a clear message: hate has no place in America. We appreciate Congressman Valadao and Congressman Gottheimer for uplifting Sikh voices and protecting religious freedom for all. United Sikhs looks forward to supporting efforts that ensure safety, dignity, and equality for Sikh Americans nationwide," said United Sikhs.

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