US denies visas to trans athletes, imposes permanent ban on those who change their birth gender on documents

The United States government has ordered consulates in the country to deny visas to transgender athletes who wish to compete on American soil and has implemented a lifetime ban on those who "misrepresent" their birth sex on applications, the measure was announced on Monday, 24, in a cable from the State Department.

The directive requires consular officers to enforce section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, known as the "permanent bar to fraud," which bars trans applicants from permanent entry into the U.S.

“In cases where applicants are suspected of misrepresenting their purpose of travel or gender, you should consider whether that misrepresentation is material enough to support a finding of ineligibility,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, according to The Guardian.

The decision follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump on February 5 that bans transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. The president also directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to deny visas to "men attempting to fraudulently enter the United States while identifying themselves as female athletes" during the 2028 Olympics, which will take place in Los Angeles.

Trump also ordered Rubio to notify the International Olympic Committee of the country's position. "The United States will not stand by and watch men beat and assault female athletes," the president said.

The State Department document also requires consular officers to check birth certificates in cases of document conflict and to flag cases with the code “SWS25” to monitor the application of the new rule at consulates around the world.

Rubio also announced that the Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs will issue new guidelines to prevent trans athletes from participating in women's competitions in the United States, including sports exchanges.