Migrants Now Allowed to Select Gender Preference Without Proof Under New DHS Guidance; Biden Homeland Security Adjusts Policy to Accept Reported Gender Identity On Immigration Benefits Applications

Migrants now allowed to select gender preference without proof under new DHS guidance:

The Homeland Security Department’s legal immigration agency is now allowing applicants to select the gender of their choice without having to provide matching documentation.

Those who already have records in the system can change their selections without proof, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said.

The only exceptions are for those who already have become citizens, in which case proof is required.

USCIS announced the change Friday, and it became effective immediately.

The agency said the public requested the change during a 2021 comment period about breaking down barriers to immigration benefits. Some applicants said the gender issue was a problem.

“This update is also intended to reduce barriers to travel, employment, services, and benefits by eliminating delays and preventing discrimination and harassment due to inconsistent identity documents,” the agency said in its guidance.

USCIS said the change is in line with President Biden’s executive orders to make it easier to apply for immigration benefits and to advance his equity agenda. —>READ MORE HERE

Biden Homeland Security adjusts policy to accept reported gender identity on immigration benefits applications:

US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ new policy says immigrants can select a gender marker that does not match supporting documentation

The Biden administration will now allow immigrants applying for benefits through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to mark their preferred gender identity without needing their other documentation to match.

In a press release Friday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said effective immediately, the agency was updating its policy to accept “the self-identified gender marker for individuals requesting immigration benefits.”

“The gender marker they select does not need to match the gender marker indicated on their supporting documentation,” the release said. “The update also clarifies that people requesting benefits do not need to submit proof of their gender identity when submitting a request to change their gender marker, except for those submitting Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.”

Currently, the only gender markers available are “Male” or “Female,” but DHS said it is working on options to include an additional gender marker (“X”) for another or unspecified gender identity.

“In April 2021, DHS published a Request for Public Input seeking the public’s feedback on barriers to USCIS benefits and services. Responses to this request indicated that the evidentiary requirements associated with gender marker changes created barriers for individuals requesting immigration benefits,” the press release said. —>READ MORE HERE

Source