Imperial Regional Detention Facility, in Calexico, California, recently welcomed volunteers from the Sikh faith to hold a sacred concert, allowing detainees to participate in the religious event. Navdeep Kaur and Balmeet Singh are two of the volunteers who were interviewed about their experience:

Navdeep Kaur

“This is my first time at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility, first time volunteering here, and it’s been an incredible experience.”

Balmeet Singh

“It was a very powerful and moving experience. We got the opportunity to share in our oneness; to remember what brings us together.” 

Navdeep Kaur

“It really uplifts them. So, it’s really nice that the facility allows us to have this session and gives opportunity to the Sikh detainees and to Sikh outside population for us to do this volunteer work.” 

“[After] doing our sessions, while we were talking, we were able to freely talk to the detainees, and it didn’t feel like anyone was overbearing us or watching over; obviously, you had to be watching over, but it didn’t feel like it was something we had to be afraid of. It doesn’t seem like there is much of a fear culture in this detention center and that’s really nice to see.” 

Balmeet Singh

“We are very grateful, on behalf of the Sikh community, to the chaplain here and to all of the staff for providing support and allowing us to come in, and to provide hope to those who have come here under difficult circumstances.”