U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is discontinuing the practice initiated under the Biden administration of providing a third gender option on its documents. A Homeland Security spokesperson stated emphatically that “there are only two sexes — male and female.”

The agency announced Wednesday that it is “updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that it only recognizes two biological sexes.” 

“President Trump committed to bringing a common-sense approach to governance, ensuring that U.S. government policies align with fundamental biological facts,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, in a statement.

She further remarked, “Effective management of our immigration system is crucial for national security. It is not intended to endorse or support ideologies that potentially cause long-term harm to children and compromise the dignity, safety, and well-being of women.”

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Monday, March 31. USCIS said, “Consistent with the Jan. 20, 2025, executive order, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, USCIS is returning to its historical policy of recognizing two biological sexes.” (AP/Pool)

Last year, immigrants were able to select a third gender option, or “X,” when applying for naturalization. 

“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,” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said at the time. “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.”  

A staff member holds pamphlets and American flags before a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony inside the Robert N.C. Nix Federal Courthouse on Oct. 19, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pa.  (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“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,” it added. 

Fox News’ Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.