In a historic confirmation, Indian American attorney Harmeet Kaur Dhillon has been appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Justice, making her the first Sikh American to hold this key position.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), a national advocacy group, issued a tempered response to the appointment. In its statement, SALDEF highlighted the crucial role the Civil Rights Division plays in safeguarding constitutional protections and enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws for marginalized communities.
“This role demands unwavering and unbiased dedication to protecting the rights of every community,” stated Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “We remain committed to working toward the advancement of civil and constitutional rights for all Americans.”
Dhillon’s nomination, announced in December 2024, had stirred mixed reactions within the Indian American and Sikh American communities. While SALDEF initially acknowledged her contributions to civil rights—particularly in the years after 9/11—it also noted concerns over parts of her recent public record. The organization later clarified its position, stressing that leadership in civil rights must be rooted in defending all communities equally, without partisan bias.
With her confirmation, Dhillon now oversees a powerful division of the DOJ tasked with protecting Americans’ civil liberties, addressing hate crimes, and ensuring justice and equity across diverse communities. Her appointment is a significant milestone for the Indian American legal and civil rights landscape.
