Booking Photos
Salma Nasoordeen and Shenai Aini have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The women allege their religious rights were violated when they were required to remove their hijabs for booking photos after being arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest at UC Irvine in 2024. They also claim the uncovered images were placed in a public database.
The Sheriff’s Department denies the allegations, stating that any hijab removals were done privately with female deputies present and followed standard booking procedures.
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction restricting the release and viewing of the women’s uncovered booking photos while the case proceeds.
The lawsuit seeks policy changes, religious-sensitivity training, and compensatory damages.