Immigrants to the US can now decide they aren’t female or male, but a third unspecified gender when applying for citizenship.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services revised its N-400 Application for Naturalization form to provide applicants with the option of selecting “another gender identity” labeled “X,” it announced on Monday.
“Historically USCIS forms and associated documents have only offered two gender options, ‘Male (M) and Female (F).’ This has created significant barriers for requesters who do not identify with either of those options,” immigration officials said in a news release.
“Limiting benefit requesters 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 government claimed that by adding the third gender option, officials can ensure that identity documents and biographical data are accurate.
They noted that the move to revise the form is consistent with the stance of the federal and some state governments as well as “efforts to break down barriers in the immigration system and reduce undue burdens in accessing immigration benefits.”
