The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its policy to clarify that it will only recognise two biological sexes: male and female.

This change follows the executive order issued on January 20, named- Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. The USCIS also explained how, when processing immigration benefits, it will take into account the sex specified on birth certificates. In a press release, the USCIS stated, "US Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that it only recognises two biological sexes, male and female." It added, "Consistent with the January 20, 2025, executive order, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, USCIS is returning to its historical policy of recognising two biological sexes."

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasised that the policy is in line with "simple biological reality" and is intended to safeguard national security. "There are only two sexes -- male and female. President Trump promised the American people a revolution of common sense, and that includes making sure that the policy of the US government agrees with simple biological reality. Proper management of our immigration system is a matter of national security, not a place to promote and coddle an ideology that permanently harms children and robs real women of their dignity, safety, and well-being," McLaughlin said.

According to the press release, the USCIS takes into account a person's sex as it is often shown on the birth certificate that was issued at or close to the time of birth. "If the birth certificate issued at or nearest to the time of birth indicates a sex other than male or female, USCIS will base the determination of sex on secondary evidence," the press release stated.

It added, "USCIS will not deny benefits solely because the benefit requestor did not properly indicate his or her sex. However, USCIS does not issue documents with a blank sex field and does not issue documents with a sex different from the sex as generally evidenced on a birth certificate issued at the time of birth (or issued nearest to the time of birth). Therefore, if a benefit requestor does not indicate his or her sex or indicates a sex different from the sex on his or her birth certificate issued at the time of birth (or issued nearest to the time of birth), there may be delays in adjudication." USCIS may notify applicants if it issues a document showing a gender different from what the applicant originally requested.

Interestingly, shortly after taking office as the 47th U.S. President, Donald Trump announced that the official policy of the United States would recognise only two genders: male and female. Trump had stated that his government would seek to create a "colourblind" and "merit-based" society.