A growing number of LGBTQ+ travelers are rethinking their plans to visit the United States following the introduction of a new federal policy by President Donald Trump.
As of January, the U.S. officially recognizes only two biological sexes — male and female — sparking concern among transgender and non-binary individuals, especially due to the potential complications at the border.
U.S. immigration authorities may now request documents verifying an individual’s “sex assigned at birth.” This creates barriers for people whose gender markers in official documents, such as passports, do not match their birth sex or are marked as “X” instead of “M” or “F.” Concerns have intensified about possible detentions and more aggressive questioning by immigration officers.
In response to the tightened policies, dozens of European countries — including Germany, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, and the Netherlands — have updated their travel advisories for the U.S. These notices emphasize that holding a visa or ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry. Authorities warn that travelers may be denied access if their documentation does not comply with the new requirements.
In March, three German citizens were denied entry to the United States, prompting further concern. European diplomats have underscored that final decisions on admission are at the discretion of U.S. border officials.
