DMV sued after woman told to remove headscarf for driver's license photo

On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, filed a federal lawsuit in Alabama on behalf of Yvonne Allen who was told she couldn't wear her headscarf for her driver's license photo.

Allen notes in an online post, "In accordance with my Christian faith, I cover my hair with a headscarf, but the DMV refused to take my driver license photo unless I removed it. The DMV officials said only Muslims were allowed to keep their headscarves on for photos. I didn't know what to do. Without question, I believe that Muslim women should not have to violate their faith just to take a driver license photo, but neither should Christian women. "

Explaining why she covers her hair, Allen says, "Wearing a headscarf is an integral part of my Christian beliefs. In 2011, I moved with my children to Alabama after the end of a 12-year relationship with their father. I was lost, confused, hurt, and broken. But I turned to God and spent hours in prayer and study. During that time, it became clear to me that, to be obedient to God's Word and show my submission to him, I had to cover my hair on a daily basis.

According to CBS News, Allen has reached out multiple times to the Lee county officials in regards to getting a new photo done with a headscarf but their position hasn't changed.

The ACLU notes, "that Lee County's refusal to provide a religious accommodation to Ms. Allen violates her rights under the Alabama Constitution and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit asks the court to order Lee County officials to allow Ms. Allen to retake her driver license photo with her headscarf."

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