The Supreme Court has allowed a federal policy to take effect requiring U.S. passports to list sex designations consistent with biological sex assigned at birth. The decision came through the Court’s emergency docket and represents a temporary ruling while lower courts continue reviewing the case.Advocates challenged the policy, arguing it violates constitutional protections and discriminates against transgender and nonbinary Americans. They contend the requirement imposes unnecessary barriers and fails to recognize gender identity.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a dissent, joined by the Court’s other liberal justices, expressing concern about the immediate impact. She suggested the ruling could cause irreparable harm to affected individuals before full legal review concludes.Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, criticized the decision. They warned it could increase risks of harassment and discrimination for transgender individuals when presenting identification that does not align with their identity.Supporters of the policy argued that passport sex markers reflect administrative definitions and apply equally under federal guidelines. They maintain the requirement simply follows biological classification standards for official documents.The dispute follows earlier changes to passport rules. In 2021, a previous administration introduced an “X” option for nonbinary and intersex individuals. The current policy removes that option and requires alignment with biological sex.The case remains active in lower courts, meaning the Supreme Court’s action does not represent a final ruling. Additional judicial review will determine the long-term outcome of the passport requirement and related legal challenges ahead.