Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's assurance that grievances of Muslims and alleged discrimination against South Asians would be investigated has generated much hope and relief among the community. In an address to top-level leaders of the Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South Asian communities, on January 28, in Washington D.C., Napolitano pledged to involve community members in the advisory council of the task force to eliminate extremism, especially in efforts to more effectively eliminate extremists. This involvement would provide a more accurate perception regarding the social, cultural and religious feelings of these communities, and avoid being subjected to so-called "paternalistic" treatment from the Obama administration. With Napolitano's further commitment to eliminate discrimination, community members felt confident and reassured.

In a statement released by Executive Director Deepa Iyer, of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) – a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization that elevates the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations – she congratulated the Homeland Security Secretary on her efforts to properly understand the pulse and desires of the community. Iyer said that frustration gripped South Asians living in the United States when the Obama administration implemented additional screening measures at airports for citizens of 13 Muslim countries, following the failed attempt by a Nigerian youth to blow up a U.S.-bound passenger flight on Christmas Eve. Because of a few bad elements, no one takes the time to look at the Muslim-American community with a different attitude.

Community members hope that after this meeting with Homeland Secretary Napolitano, misunderstandings will clear up and it will be understood that no Muslim American supports terrorism or the indiscriminate killing of human life.

In the end, every community has its bad elements. No community should be targeted as a whole for that.