A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s attempt to enforce a new passport policy on Friday. The policy would have banned the use of the “X” gender marker and stopped people from changing their gender identity on passports.
This rule came from an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January. It defined people only as male or female and refused to recognize gender transitions. While this view reflects conservative beliefs, it directly conflicts with medical experts and previous policies under President Joe Biden.
ACLU Wins First Round in Court
U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick, who was appointed by Biden, agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As a result, she issued a preliminary injunction. This means the government cannot enforce the policy until the legal case is resolved.
Judge Kobick explained her decision clearly. “The Executive Order and the Passport Policy on their face classify passport applicants on the basis of sex and thus must be reviewed under intermediate judicial scrutiny,” she wrote. She added, “That standard requires the government to demonstrate that its actions are substantially related to an important governmental interest. The government has failed to meet this standard.”
ACLU Says Policy Is Harmful
Meanwhile, the ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of five transgender people and two nonbinary individuals. They argued the new policy would prevent many Americans from getting passports that reflect their identity.
“We all have a right to accurate identity documents, and this policy invites harassment, discrimination, and violence against transgender Americans who can no longer obtain or renew a passport that matches who they are,” said ACLU attorney Sruti Swaminathan.
Trump Administration Defends Rule
In contrast, Trump’s legal team insisted that the policy did not break any constitutional rights. They claimed the president has full control over passport rules. Moreover, they argued that the plaintiffs wouldn’t face harm, since they could still travel internationally.
However, the court disagreed for now. The judge’s order will block the policy as the lawsuit continues in court.
