The practice of leaving settled society to undertake a spiritual journey, or a spiritual life really, is something that is much more common in India. Common especially to a certain phase of life, to the end of life. But not so unusual for younger people as well.
India is simply dotted with pilgrimage places, and with teachers and very powerful spiritual guides.
The idea that the United States government would have to figure out what to do about the headscarf is simply ludicrous. We don't get involved in that.
We are built on a structure of the freedom of religion and the non-establishment of religion. That really is a pretty sturdy rudder for the U.S.