TSA San Jose Reaches Out to Sikh Community

News & Happenings

March 13, 2008 TSA job applicants at the outreach event at a Sikh temple in Fremont, Calif. From left, Tiffany Orick, a human resources contractor, and TSA's Yogi Prakash and Joni Cruz.

TSA job applicants at the outreach event at a Sikh temple in Fremont, Calif. From left, Tiffany Orick, a human resources contractor, and TSA's Yogi Prakash and Joni Cruz.

TSA employees from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose and Metropolitan Oakland international airports hosted an outreach event and job fair at a local Sikh Gurdwara - or temple - that generated 52 job applications in less than three hours. More than 500 Sikh members attended the Fremont, Calif., event on Feb. 24.

Speaking in his native language Punjabi, Lead Transportation Security Officer Joginder Samra of TSA San Jose, a member of the Gurdwara, addressed the screening of headwear and removal of jackets and shoes. Samra also volunteered to help at the job fair, along with TSA Oakland's Lead TSO Yugeshwar (Yogi) Prakash and TSO Joni Cruz.

San Jose Federal Security Director Calvin Yuen and Assistant FSD Elizabeth Young explained TSA's screening role and practices.

TSA was invited to the Gurdwara following a meeting with local Sikh leaders in December.

Young called the job fair "very successful" and said the "goodwill created by events like this cannot be measured." Another outreach event is scheduled for May at the San Jose Gurdwara.