The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), through its Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal, expresses deep concern over the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act by President Donald J. Trump. While the legislation has been praised by some for its broad tax reforms and budget restructuring, NAPA fears it will have disproportionate and devastating consequences for Punjabi, South Asian, and immigrant communities across the United States.
According to Mr. Chahal, several provisions within the bill—including steep cuts to Medicaid, stringent work requirements, and restrictions on legal immigrants’ access to public benefits—will widen inequalities and push vulnerable populations further into hardship. “This legislation essentially punishes working-class immigrant families who are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Chahal. “We are particularly concerned about the new five-year waiting period for green card holders to access health coverage and premium tax credits, which will endanger the health of countless new Americans.”
The bill also slashes funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and tightens eligibility rules across welfare programs, disproportionately impacting immigrant families and low-income seniors in states like California, New York, and New Jersey, home to large Punjabi and South Asian populations. “Rather than supporting the backbone of America’s workforce—immigrants—this bill seems to target them with austerity and exclusion,” Chahal added.
Furthermore, Chahal criticized how the bill was passed. “There was no honest public debate, no outreach to the communities that will be most affected. It was rushed through Congress in the name of fiscal discipline, while the tax breaks included primarily benefits for the ultra-rich and large corporations,” he said.
NAPA also warned that the new 80-hour-per-month work requirement for Medicaid and SNAP recipients will affect thousands of Punjabi and Sikh elders, low-wage earners, and individuals working in informal sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and transportation fields where job stability and documentation often fall short of federal standards.
Calling for urgent action, Chahal urged fellow civil rights organisations, community leaders, and elected officials to stand against this discriminatory legislation and seek amendments that prioritise human dignity, public health, and fairness. “We must not allow budget politics to override basic human compassion and decency,” Chahal said. “We will continue to advocate at all levels to protect the interests of Punjabi and immigrant families.”
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of all immigrant communities and vows to raise awareness, provide support, and challenge policies that threaten equality and justice.