Homeland Security Reverses Ban on Sikh Contractors
National Desk
October 22, 2009
San Francisco, CA – A legal settlement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will protect religious freedom of expression by amending the government´s uniform and grooming policies. The government has agreed to pay Raghbir Singh, an observant Sikh who wears a beard and dastaar (turban) in accordance with his religious beliefs, monetary damages for his wrongful termination.
Keker & Van Nest associates Khari Tillery and Rose Darling represented Singh pro bono along with the Sikh Coalition and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.
"Holding the federal government accountable for discriminating against Sikhs sends a strong message to private employers. If the government includes Sikh Americans in its workforce, it should encourage other employers to do the same," added Harsimran Kaur, Legal Director at the Sikh Coalition.
"Beyond monetary recognition, we´re pleased the government recognized the need to edit its policies to accommodate for religious differences," said Tillery. "Mr. Singh's turban and beard did not affect his ability to perform his job duties and he was an exemplary employee."
Singh is a former contracted federal security guard who was fired from his Fresno post in 2005 when his supervisors reported that his beard and religious turban failed to comply with homeland security uniform and grooming policies. Among other requirements, the department specifies that guards be clean-shaven and prohibits any unauthorized headwear.
In June 2007, Singh´s lawyers filed a complaint in federal court asserting religious discrimination claims against the private security company that employed Singh and free exercise and Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) claims against several federal employees. Claims with the private security firm were settled in 2008 for monetary damages.
Keker & Van Nest associates Khari Tillery and Rose Darling represented Singh pro bono along with the Sikh Coalition and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.
"Holding the federal government accountable for discriminating against Sikhs sends a strong message to private employers. If the government includes Sikh Americans in its workforce, it should encourage other employers to do the same," added Harsimran Kaur, Legal Director at the Sikh Coalition.
"Beyond monetary recognition, we´re pleased the government recognized the need to edit its policies to accommodate for religious differences," said Tillery. "Mr. Singh's turban and beard did not affect his ability to perform his job duties and he was an exemplary employee."
Singh is a former contracted federal security guard who was fired from his Fresno post in 2005 when his supervisors reported that his beard and religious turban failed to comply with homeland security uniform and grooming policies. Among other requirements, the department specifies that guards be clean-shaven and prohibits any unauthorized headwear.
In June 2007, Singh´s lawyers filed a complaint in federal court asserting religious discrimination claims against the private security company that employed Singh and free exercise and Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) claims against several federal employees. Claims with the private security firm were settled in 2008 for monetary damages.
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