Safeguarding Liberties After the SB 509 Setback

Safeguarding Liberties After the SB 509 Setback

California |October 15, 2025

UNITED SIKHS expresses deep concern over California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto Senate Bill 509, a measure that would have required standardized training for law enforcement to recognize and respond to transnational repression. This bill represented a vital opportunity to protect vulnerable communities particularly immigrants, refugees, and human rights defenders who face intimidation and surveillance from foreign actors operating within the United States.

While we acknowledge the Governor’s stated commitment to administrative flexibility and federal collaboration, the absence of clear definitions and mandated training leaves local agencies without the tools needed to consistently safeguard civil liberties. Transnational repression is not hypothetical – it is a lived reality for many in our community, including faith-based activists, journalists, and diaspora leaders who have been targeted for their advocacy.

UNITED SIKHS has actively engaged with federal partners, including the Department of Justice and the FBI’s Civil Rights Division, to elevate community concerns and strengthen national responses to transnational repression. Through policy consultations, civil rights reporting, and community briefings, we continue to advocate for protections that uphold dignity, safety, and democratic participation.

We urge California’s leadership to revisit this issue and commit to robust, standardized education for law enforcement personnel. The safety of our communities and the integrity of our democratic institutions depends on proactive and informed responses to foreign interference.

We call on our coalition partners, civil rights organizations, and community members to remain vigilant and united in the fight against transnational repression. UNITED SIKHS will continue to stand with those who speak truth to power and demand justice for all.