At least according to this private fostering agency in Maryland:
In July, Crudup — a practicing Muslim — contacted Contemporary Family Services, a private company authorized by the state to place foster children with families. She cleared an initial screening process and completed 50 hours of training classes for prospective parents. But after a home visit, her application was denied.
The main reason: She doesn't allow pork in her house.
Eugene Volokh has the rejection letter from CFS:
Dear Mr. Moore and Ms. Crudup,
Thank you for your interest in becoming licensed treatment foster parents with Contemporary Family Services, Inc. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to approve your home for licensure.
We are denying your application because of concerns raised by statements made during the home study interview, specifically your explicit request to prohibit pork products within your home environment. Although we respect your personal/religious views and practices, this agency must above all ensure that the religious, cultural and personal rights of each foster child placed in our case are upheld. Your statement indicates that there could potentially be a discrepancy between your expectations and the needs and personal views of a child placed in your care.
Should you wish to appeal this denial decision, you must submit a written request for an appeal, which must be received within 45 days of this notice, to:
[Name and address omitted –EV]
Sincerely,
[Name omitted –EV]
The ACLU of Maryland is now intervening [PDF] on behalf of the couple who wants to provide a loving home to children in need.
The oddity of this conclusion – combined with the lack of evidentiary support for it in the report and the nature of some of the questions Ms. Crudup was asked during her home interview – indicate that anti-Muslim bias played a role in CFS’ decision to deny her application in explicit violation of the Baltimore City Code.
An anti-Muslim bias? Ya think? Just because this agency is more interested in protecting a child's right to eat bacon than to actually be raised in a caring family? Nah.