By News Desk

California’s Senate Bill 509, designed to address transnational repression by foreign governments, has advanced through the state legislature with bipartisan support but faces significant opposition from Hindu American organizations who argue the legislation could inadvertently target their community.

Introduced by Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced), SB 509 passed the California Senate with a unanimous 38-0 vote in early June and is now moving through the Assembly. The bill requires the state’s Office of Emergency Services to develop specialized training programs for law enforcement to identify and respond to persecution of diaspora communities by foreign governments.

The Legislation’s Purpose

According to Senator Caballero’s office, transnational repression refers to efforts by foreign governments to intimidate, harass, threaten, or harm individuals living outside their home country. These actions can include digital surveillance, coercion, legal manipulation such as misuse of INTERPOL notices, and even physical violence.

“At its core, SB 509 is about upholding the fundamental rights of freedom, safety and self-expression of diaspora communities,” Caballero stated in a press release. “Too often, individuals who have fled persecution in their home countries, search for asylum and safety yet continue to face harassment, intimidation and threats—even here in California.”

The bill mandates that California’s Office of Emergency Services, through the California Specialized Training Institute, develop transnational repression recognition and response training programs for state and local law enforcement by July 2026.

Strong Support from Some Communities

Several organizations have championed the legislation, including the Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund (SALDEF) and the Sikh Coalition, which have advocated for protections against what they describe as harassment by the Indian government of Sikh Americans.

SALDEF praised SB 509 as taking “a crucial first step in combating transnational repression faced by diasporic communities worldwide, including Sikh Americans, and ensuring the protection of American sovereignty and freedom of speech.”

The Sikh Coalition similarly applauded the bill’s introduction, specifically citing “transnational repression by the government of India that continues to threaten U.S.-based Sikhs.”

This story was originally published in americankahani.com. Read the full story here.