Seattle, Wash. — Approximately two years ago, the volunteers for the Sikh Center of Seattle led by temple director Balwant Aulak got approval from the GEO Corrections & Detection for ICE (immigration) center in Tacoma to give humanitarian services, which included prayers, mediation and legal assistance.
There was information that some Asian and Sikh inmates detained under immigration law in the Tacoma detention center were not in good shape and not fully cooperating with the jail staff, according to a press release.
Aulak and volunteers of the Sikh Center approached the jail’s authorities and accepted the challenge to bring positive changes among the detainees.
The regular Sewa (services) brought good results and positive changes among the inmates, bringing them from level 3 to level 2, with some of them sent home on bonds, added the release.
The jail authorities honored the Sikh volunteers on April 15 for their humanitarian service at Tacoma. The volunteer team consists of nine people, including Kamal Sandhu.
On April 18, the Sikh Center volunteers cooked Langar at the Bothell Sikh temple and served it to all the inmates of every faith on Khalsa Sajna Diwas.
This is the first time in state history that outside services brought positive changes among detainees at a detection center, said the release.