US immigration announces 'third gender option' on citizenship form

[Jessica_Rose]

US immigration announces 'third gender option' on citizenship form

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-immigration-announces-third-gender-option-on-citizenship-form/ar-BB1kVVaa?ocid=windirect&cvid=b311620c7cf049bfaf72e2c0b77ac3d0&ei=34

Story by Lindsay Kornick (2 April 2024)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a news alert that revealed that it had revised Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, to provide "Another Gender Identity," the first USCIS form to do so.

"Historically, USCIS forms and associated documents have only offered two gender options: 'Male (M)' and 'Female (F).' This has created significant barriers for requestors who do not identify with either of those options. Limiting benefit requestors to two gender options also creates administrative challenges for USCIS when we receive birth certificates or other official government-issued documents with a gender other than M or F," the statement read.

It continued, "Adding a third gender option helps ensure that secure identity documents and biographical data are accurate and helps both external stakeholders and individuals requesting immigration benefits. It is also consistent with federal and state agencies that have adopted a third gender option, such as the U.S. Department of State's expanded passport services to offer gender X in their application."

The applicant would not need to "provide supporting documentation" to choose the third option, and the gender that an applicant selects would not need to match the gender marked on other documents such as a birth certificate, passport or state I.D.