WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Biden Administration’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a change to its Application for Naturalization form, adding a third gender option, "X."
Effective immediately, Form N-400 now offers "Another Gender Identity," marking a departure from the traditional "Male (M)" and "Female (F)" gender classifications that have been standard on USCIS forms.
"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 from USCIS read.
This alteration introduces a new layer of complexity for both applicants and the agency when faced with official documents reflecting non-binary gender markers.
The change has prompted concerns regarding potential administrative challenges and the implications for identity verification processes.
The inclusion of the "X" gender option on the updated form does not mandate supporting documentation.
Consequently, the gender chosen by applicants may differ from the gender indicated on other official documents, such as birth certificates, passports, or state IDs.
This discrepancy could necessitate additional procedures for applicants, potentially requiring visits to Social Security offices to update citizenship statuses or acquire Social Security cards. The Social Security Administration is currently adapting its systems to accommodate this new gender option.
While Form N-400 is currently the only USCIS form featuring the third gender option, USCIS has expressed intentions to modify additional forms to incorporate this choice.
The organization has specified that the gender marker selected by applicants does not have to correspond with the gender marker on their supporting documentation, with certain exceptions like Form N-565, and the Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.
This policy modification builds upon USCIS's prior decision in March 2023 to permit self-selection of gender on all USCIS forms without necessitating supporting documentation, excluding Form N-565.
Some critics have voiced concerns that these changes could introduce inconsistencies in identity verification and undermine fraud prevention measures within the immigration system.
This introduction of the "Third Gender Option" by USCIS on the Naturalization Application Form represents a notable change in the approach to gender identification within the U.S. immigration process.
Effective immediately, Form N-400 now offers "Another Gender Identity," marking a departure from the traditional "Male (M)" and "Female (F)" gender classifications that have been standard on USCIS forms.
"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 from USCIS read.
This alteration introduces a new layer of complexity for both applicants and the agency when faced with official documents reflecting non-binary gender markers.
The change has prompted concerns regarding potential administrative challenges and the implications for identity verification processes.
The inclusion of the "X" gender option on the updated form does not mandate supporting documentation.
Consequently, the gender chosen by applicants may differ from the gender indicated on other official documents, such as birth certificates, passports, or state IDs.
This discrepancy could necessitate additional procedures for applicants, potentially requiring visits to Social Security offices to update citizenship statuses or acquire Social Security cards. The Social Security Administration is currently adapting its systems to accommodate this new gender option.
While Form N-400 is currently the only USCIS form featuring the third gender option, USCIS has expressed intentions to modify additional forms to incorporate this choice.
The organization has specified that the gender marker selected by applicants does not have to correspond with the gender marker on their supporting documentation, with certain exceptions like Form N-565, and the Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.
This policy modification builds upon USCIS's prior decision in March 2023 to permit self-selection of gender on all USCIS forms without necessitating supporting documentation, excluding Form N-565.
Some critics have voiced concerns that these changes could introduce inconsistencies in identity verification and undermine fraud prevention measures within the immigration system.
This introduction of the "Third Gender Option" by USCIS on the Naturalization Application Form represents a notable change in the approach to gender identification within the U.S. immigration process.
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Comments
2024-04-05T23:06-0400 | Comment by: Catherene
How ridiculous. Way to go Joe.