Overview

• U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick issued a preliminary injunction stopping the enforcement of the Trump administration's passport policy for six named plaintiffs while litigation continues.
• The policy, based on a January executive order, restricts federal recognition of gender to male or female and bars 'X' gender markers and gender marker updates on passports.
• Judge Kobick ruled the policy likely violates the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee, finding it rooted in animus toward transgender individuals.
• The injunction applies only to the six plaintiffs, not nationwide, and allows them to obtain passports reflecting their self-identified gender.
• The ACLU, representing the plaintiffs, argues the policy causes harm by denying accurate identity documents and exposing individuals to discrimination and unsafe travel conditions.