US launches ‘third gender’ option for immigrants in citizenship forms
US President Joe Biden’s administration has introduced a “third gender” option on citizenship forms in an effort to collect data on immigrants with greater accuracy as some of them do not identify as male or female. Until now, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms and related documents have offered only male and female options, which has “created significant barriers” for people who do not identify with either gender. Keep.
“We have revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to provide a third gender option, ‘X’, defined as ‘other gender identity,'” USCIS said in an official statement released Monday. Has gone.”
“We are also updating the guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect this form amendment and other upcoming form amendments that will add the third gender option,” it added.
According to the authority, “X as a gender option will be immediately available” to applicants filing Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024.
It says other forms will eventually add the option.
“Adding the third gender option helps ensure that secure identification documents and biographical data are accurate and helps both external stakeholders and individuals requesting immigration benefits,” USCIS said.
“It is also consistent with federal and state agencies that have adopted a third gender option, such as the US State Department’s Expanded Passport Services offering Gender X in its applications,” the statement said.
With only male and female options previously available, this created significant barriers for those who did not identify with either gender.
Limiting gender options also created “administrative challenges” for USCIS when receiving a birth certificate or other official government-issued document with a gender other than male or female.
In March 2023, USCIS updated its policies to allow applicants to self-select their gender without providing supporting documentation.
The move was part of the agency’s efforts to provide easier access to immigration services.