Harmeet Dhillon, the Sikh-American lawyer serving as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Justice, has spoken out strongly in defense of Sikh and Indian-origin truck drivers following a surge of online hate and misinformation — some even from within conservative circles.
In a statement released on October 27, Dhillon urged Americans not to unfairly target Sikh truckers after two recent accidents involving undocumented drivers operating commercial trucks. “In the haze of anger, many are wrongly attacking law-abiding Sikhs and Indian-origin truckers simply because of their identity,” she posted on X. She emphasized that most of these individuals are patriotic, hardworking citizens who were either born in the U.S. or immigrated legally.
Dhillon denounced both the highway tragedies and the discriminatory reactions that followed, making it clear that racial or religious targeting is illegal under federal law. She reaffirmed that the Civil Rights Division will take strict legal action against any form of harassment or violence based on race, religion, or national origin.
Her words held deep personal resonance. Dhillon, one of the highest-ranking Sikh officials in the nation, has previously endured online abuse from far-right trolls. When she recited the Sikh prayer Ardas at the Republican National Convention, she was met with racist taunts and xenophobic remarks telling her to “get deported.” Dhillon later said she had to block numerous users due to the hateful messages.
Earlier, Dhillon also faced ridicule after sharing a photo with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, where she mistakenly referred to the Declaration of Independence as the Constitution — triggering another wave of racially charged comments.
Despite such hostility, Dhillon’s recent message was firm yet unifying. She called for accountability for reckless drivers but insisted that innocent Sikh Americans must not bear collective blame. “They are our neighbors and essential workers providing a lawful and valuable service,” she stated.
Dhillon concluded by urging Americans to choose reason over prejudice: “Every law-abiding citizen, regardless of background, deserves protection under federal law — and we will ensure that protection.”
