DMV forces ultra-Orthodox NYC woman to remove head covering against her faith
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman from Brooklyn, Sara Fellig, filed a federal lawsuit against the New York State DMV after being forced to remove her religious head covering during a driver's license photo appointment. She claims the incident caused emotional trauma and violated her religious freedom, despite state policies allowing religious exemptions. Fellig is seeking damages, the destruction of her current photo, and a replacement license with a new photo taken in accordance with her faith.
- ▪Sara Fellig was required to remove her wig and hat, religious head coverings worn by married ultra-Orthodox Jewish women, at a Brooklyn DMV office.
- ▪The DMV employees did not grant her a religious exemption, even though state policy permits accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs.
- ▪Fellig feared antisemitic backlash in the crowded office and chose not to call her rabbi, feeling humiliated and spiritually violated by the experience.
- ▪She alleges that each time her license photo is viewed, it constitutes a renewed desecration of her religious beliefs.
- ▪Her attorney, Emma Freeman, stated the DMV has the correct policy but failed to apply it in Fellig’s case.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Metro Wigging out: DMV forces ultra-Orthodox NYC woman to remove head covering against her faith By Kathianne Boniello and Doree Lewak Published May 2, 2026, 12:40 p.m. ET A pair of heartless DMV workers forced an ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn mom to strip her religious head covering for a driver’s license photo — leaving her “traumatized” and fearing an antisemitic ambush. Sara Fellig ultimately complied with what she described as the “coerced violation” of her faith and has lived with the shame ever since, she said in a Brooklyn Federal Court lawsuit. “Forcing Ms.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at US News – Latest Breaking Headlines, Photos & Videos | New York Post.
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