Washington: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a revision to its immigration policies, placing new restrictions on transgender women seeking to enter the United States under sports visas.
As part of the update, USCIS will now treat the participation of transgender women in women’s sports as a negative factor when evaluating sports visas and related immigration applications under categories such as O-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-1, and EB-2 green cards. This includes athletes applying through the national interest waiver program.
USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that the change addresses concerns regarding fairness and integrity in women’s athletic competitions. Tragesser added that the agency aims to prevent individuals from exploiting gender identity to gain a competitive advantage.
Men do not belong in women’s sports.
We’re dedicated to opposing male participation in women’s sports as a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth.
In support of Executive Order 14201, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, we’ve clarified eligibility for certain visa… pic.twitter.com/lNbs5eep6w
— USCIS (@USCIS) August 4, 2025
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order signed earlier this year titled the ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ directive. The policy has drawn both support and criticism. Proponents claim it preserves fairness and safety in women’s sports, while critics argue that it unfairly targets a small segment of athletes and infringes on transgender rights.
This policy shift is part of broader national and state-level movements seeking to restrict the participation of transgender women in competitive female sporting events, including through limitations on sports visas. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee also updated its internal regulations last month to reflect the new federal stance.
The updated sports visa policy adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious debate surrounding transgender inclusion in sports, highlighting the tension between individual rights and perceived competitive fairness. This move is expected to spark further legal and political scrutiny.
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