US Stops Issuing Gender-Neutral 'X' Passports | IaM (Immigration and Migration)

US Stops Issuing Gender-Neutral ‘X’ Passports

The United States (US) government has halted the issuance of gender-neutral “X” passports, rolling back a policy introduced under the Biden administration. The decision has left many applicants in limbo, awaiting further guidance on the status of their pending applications and previously issued passports.

The move comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday requiring federal agencies to recognize only male and female gender markers. This directive is part of a broader effort to swiftly reverse policies enacted by his predecessor.

“In line with that order, the Department's issuance of US passports will reflect the individual's biological sex as defined in the Executive Order,”

US State Department Spokesperson

The department has stopped processing all applications requesting an ‘X' marker and will no longer issue new passports with a non-binary gender designation. Guidance regarding previously issued X-marker passports is expected soon, with updates to be posted on the State Department’s travel website.

The first US passport with an X gender marker was issued in October 2021 following a lengthy legal battle led by an intersex individual from Colorado. Routine processing of X-designated passports began in early 2022, though the State Department has not disclosed how many have been issued. A study by UCLA Law School’s Williams Institute estimated that over 16,000 people would apply for an X passport each year.

Trump’s decision is part of a broader push against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Throughout his campaign, he strongly opposed transgender policies, particularly in relation to women's sports and gender-affirming medical care for minors.

This executive order also eliminates federal DEI programs, anti-discrimination protections, and official recognition of transgender identity, sparking backlash from civil rights groups and creating significant legal uncertainty.

The decision to stop issuing gender-neutral ‘X’ passports represents a major policy shift in how the US government recognizes transgender and non-binary identities. This move has ignited debate over the right to have gender identity accurately reflected in official documents. As legal challenges emerge, the outcome could have profound implications for the LGBTQ+ community and the broader fight for equality and recognition.

The policy shift is likely to face legal challenges, as many US states continue to offer gender-neutral X options on driver's licenses.

Several countries including Australia, Canada, and Germany also recognise a third gender marker in official documents.

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