California’s Transnational Repression Bill Alarms Some Hindu Groups, Sparks Concerns Over Community Protection

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.”

Hindu Organizations Raise Concerns

However, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) have emerged as vocal critics, arguing that the legislation could be weaponized against Hindu Americans and Indian diaspora communities.

According to a press release from CoHNA, the organizations submitted “a series of amendments, reflecting the community’s concerns” but “all have been rejected.” The Hindu organizations describe their proposed amendments as “straight-forward, common-sense measures aimed at safeguarding civil rights.”

Sudha Jagannathan, a CoHNA board member who testified before the Senate Committee, expressed frustration: “The Hindu community approached this legislative process in good faith, believing lawmakers would prefer to make a law respectful of the diversity of California’s communities. It is deeply troubling to see our concerns repeatedly dismissed.”

Specific Concerns Raised

The Hindu organizations have identified several specific issues with the legislation:

Vague Definitions: CoHNA argues that SB 509 “defines ‘proxies’ of foreign governments with no clear criteria and opens the door to baselessly labeling Hindu American residents with immigrant roots, as ‘agents’ of some government.”

Potential for Misuse: Samir Kalra, managing director of HAF and a civil rights attorney, warned that “under the guise of protecting ‘dissent,’ SB 509 would empower law enforcement to criminally prosecute diaspora groups and community organizations who merely speak out against terrorism and extremism, by accusing them of being foreign ‘agents.'”

Jurisdictional Overreach: The organizations question whether California’s Office of Emergency Services, whose “core mission is to respond to natural and man-made disasters such as forest fires, earthquakes, and pandemics,” has the expertise to handle matters of foreign policy and national security.

Lack of Documentation: Critics note that “no cases of transnational repression have been documented in California” and question the state’s focus on federal matters.

Context of Rising Tensions

The opposition occurs against a backdrop of reported attacks on Hindu temples in California. According to CoHNA, “at least four” Hindu temples have been vandalized in California in the past 16 months, incidents they describe as occurring “under the cover of anti-India ‘activism.'”

The Hindu organizations argue that California lawmakers have “failed to address this wave of transnational terror targeting Hindu temples” while advancing legislation that could impact their community.

Current Status and Next Steps

SB 509 is now advancing through the California Assembly after passing the Senate. The bill has attracted support from Assembly Members Jasmeet Bains and Esmeralda Soria, who are listed as co-authors along with Senator Caballero.

CoHNA and HAF have announced plans to “host community webinars and campaigns to inform and mobilize the community” and are urging Assembly members and Governor Gavin Newsom to reject the bill.

The legislation reflects broader national concerns about transnational repression, with the FBI and other federal agencies increasingly focused on foreign interference and harassment of diaspora communities. However, the debate over SB 509 illustrates the challenges in crafting legislation that protects vulnerable communities while avoiding unintended consequences for other groups.

As the bill moves through the Assembly, California lawmakers face the task of balancing the legitimate security concerns that inspired the legislation with the civil liberties concerns raised by Hindu American organizations and their allies.