A federal appeals court blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a rule requiring passports and other federal identification documents to reflect a person’s biological sex at birth, keeping a lower court injunction in place as the legal dispute continues.
The ruling, which was made on Thursday, marks a temporary halt to the policy but leaves open the broader question of how the federal government should handle identification standards.
The rule stems from an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day back in office.
It directs federal agencies to ensure that passports, visas and Global Entry cards correspond to an individual’s “immutable biological classification as either male or female.”
Proponents argue the policy preserves the integrity and consistency of federal records while helping to prevent complications in international travel and border inspections.
Under the Biden administration, passport applicants could select “M,” “F” or “X,” even if the designation did not match their biological sex.
This approach aimed to accommodate trans-identifying, nonbinary and intersex individuals seeking identification aligned with their gender identity.
Critics warn that prioritizing personal preference over biological facts could create confusion when verifying documents, processing international travel, and maintaining federal record accuracy.
The American Civil Liberties