Latest news with #MatthewTragesser
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Trans female foreign athletes face new hurdles to compete in US: ‘Men do not belong in women's sports'
Transgender female athletes from outside the US will face new hurdles in obtaining a visa to enter the country to compete in major sporting events. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued new guidance Monday saying foreign athletes who are born male and transition to female will have their gender status working against them when they apply for a visa for competitions in America. 'Men do not belong in women's sports,' USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser said in a statement. 'USCIS is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women. 'It's a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth that only female athletes receive a visa to come to the U.S. to participate in women's sports,' the rep said. 'The Trump Administration is standing up for the silent majority who've long been victims of leftist policies that defy common sense.' But the policy change is significant as it comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, as well as the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The move is in line with President Trump's February 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports' executive order, which declared US opposition to 'male competitive participation in women's sports.' 'In Los Angeles in 2028, my administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes, and we're just not going to let it happen, and it's going to end, and it's ending right now, and nobody's going to be able to do a damn thing about it,' Trump said at the time. Polls indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe it is unfair to allow transgender athletes to compete against biological women. The updated immigration guidance, first reported by the Daily Wire, notes that USCIS doesn't use the term transgender and simply refers to the trans female athletes as being born male. Foreign athletes have frequently been able to obtain US visas in the past because of the 'extraordinary abilities' they bring to the country, according to the law. But 'USCIS does not consider a male athlete who has gained acclaim in men's sports and seeks to compete in women's sports in the United States to be seeking to continue work in his area of extraordinary ability,' a press release from the agency said. 'It is not in the national interest to the United States to waive the job offer and, thus, the labor certification requirement for male athletes whose proposed endeavor is to compete in women's sports.' The Trump administration has broadly worked to clamp down on visas and illegal crossings in general. On Monday, the State Department filed a notice of plans to set up a visa bond pilot program in which migrants would have to put money down to enter the US. They would have to leave the US on time when their visas expire in order to get those funds returned. Originally published as Trans female foreign athletes face new hurdles to compete in US: 'Men do not belong in women's sports'
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trans female foreign athletes face new hurdles to compete in US: ‘Men do not belong in women's sports'
Transgender female athletes from outside the US will face new hurdles in obtaining a visa to enter the country to compete in major sporting events. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued new guidance Monday saying foreign athletes who are born male and transition to female will have their gender status working against them when they apply for a visa for competitions in America. 'Men do not belong in women's sports,' USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser said in a statement. 'USCIS is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women. Advertisement 3 Trans female former college swimmer Lia Thomas (left) ignited a firestorm when she was allowed to compete against women including Riley Gaines, who has heavily criticized the situation. USA TODAY Sports 'It's a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth that only female athletes receive a visa to come to the U.S. to participate in women's sports,' the rep said. 'The Trump Administration is standing up for the silent majority who've long been victims of leftist policies that defy common sense.' The agency did not come right out and say it was issuing a complete ban on foreign trans female athletes entering the US for sporting events but described the new rules as restrictive. Advertisement But the policy change is significant as it comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, as well as the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The move is in line with President Trump's February 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports' executive order, which declared US opposition to 'male competitive participation in women's sports.' 3 President Trump takes executive action in February to ensure what he called safeguarding women's sports. Getty Images 'In Los Angeles in 2028, my administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes, and we're just not going to let it happen, and it's going to end, and it's ending right now, and nobody's going to be able to do a damn thing about it,' Trump said at the time. Advertisement Polls indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe it is unfair to allow transgender athletes to compete against biological women. The updated immigration guidance, first reported by the Daily Wire, notes that USCIS doesn't use the term transgender and simply refers to the trans female athletes as being born male. Foreign athletes have frequently been able to obtain US visas in the past because of the 'extraordinary abilities' they bring to the country, according to the law. 3 The US Citizenship and Immigration Services operates under the Department of Homeland Security. Bloomberg via Getty Images Advertisement But 'USCIS does not consider a male athlete who has gained acclaim in men's sports and seeks to compete in women's sports in the United States to be seeking to continue work in his area of extraordinary ability,' a press release from the agency said. 'It is not in the national interest to the United States to waive the job offer and, thus, the labor certification requirement for male athletes whose proposed endeavor is to compete in women's sports.' The Trump administration has broadly worked to clamp down on visas and illegal crossings in general. On Monday, the State Department filed a notice of plans to set up a visa bond pilot program in which migrants would have to put money down to enter the US. They would have to leave the US on time when their visas expire in order to get those funds returned.
The Hill
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump administration restricts sports visa eligibility for transgender women
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it is updating visa policies to prevent transgender women from entering the U.S. to compete in women's athletic events, in line with an executive order from President Trump. Guidance issued Monday afternoon by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) effectively bars trans women from obtaining temporary work visas to compete in women's sports. The new policy applies to three visa categories for individuals possessing 'exceptional' or 'extraordinary' talent in science, art, education, business and athletics, as well as national interest waivers, which allow people outside the U.S. to self-petition for a green card if their work benefits the nation's interests. The agency's guidance, which is effective immediately, was first reported by the conservative news outlet The Daily Wire. It does not use the word 'transgender,' referring to trans women only as 'male athletes' seeking to compete in women's sports. Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for USCIS, said in a statement that the agency 'is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women.' 'It's a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth that only female athletes receive a visa to come to the U.S. to participate in women's sports,' Tragesser said. 'The Trump Administration is standing up for the silent majority who've long been victims of leftist policies that defy common sense.' The agency's updated guidance clarifies that, with respect to demonstrating extraordinary ability in athletics, USCIS 'considers the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women as a negative factor' in determining whether they are 'among the small percentage at the very top of the field.' The document adds that it is not in the national interest of the U.S. to waive labor certification requirements 'for male athletes whose proposed endeavor is to compete in women's sports.' An executive order issued by Trump in February states that it is the policy of the U.S. 'to oppose male competitive participation in women's sports.' The order, which Trump had pledged to sign while campaigning for the presidency, directed DHS to review visa policies 'to address males falsely asserting they are females when entering the United States to compete in women's sports.' An administration official told The Hill in February that visa applications from transgender athletes looking to compete in women's sporting events in the U.S. would be reviewed 'for fraud.' Responding to Trump's order, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee late last month barred transgender women from competing in women's events. A spokesperson for the organization declined to say whether the policy change will impact female athletes with differences in sex development, the eligibility of whom has emerged as a flashpoint in recent years. The next Summer Olympic Games are set to take place in Los Angeles in 2028. At a signing ceremony for his executive order on transgender athletes in February, Trump said his administration would not allow transgender athletes to compete in the Summer Games. 'We're just not going to let it happen,' he said. 'It's ending right now, and nobody's going to be able to damn thing about it because when I speak, we speak with authority.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
U.S Visa denied: President Donald Trump administration targets trans women athletes in bold immigration shift
Image via Canada Visa In a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration and sports policy, the government has moved to explicitly limit visa eligibility for transgender women athletes—a development with far‑reaching consequences. This measure, framed under the banner of fairness and safety in women's athletics, raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration law, gender identity, and civil rights. It highlights a growing tension: how to ensure competitive integrity in sport while respecting internationally recognized principles of equality and non‑discrimination. As colleges, Olympic bodies, and transgender rights advocates respond, this policy marks a pivotal moment in the evolving debate over Title IX, gender identity, and international competition. What began as an executive order has now permeated immigration law, reshaping not only who may compete, but who may enter the United States in pursuit of athletic opportunity. Here is what we know about the policy overview so far On August 4, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy update—aligned with Executive Order 14201, titled 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports'—to restrict visa eligibility for transgender women seeking to compete in women's sports in the United States. (via. USCIS) Targeted visa categories include O‑1A, EB‑1, EB‑2, and National Interest Waivers, all often used by elite international athletes. Under the new guidelines, USCIS will consider 'the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women' as a negative factor in adjudicating petitions. (via. Reuters) USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser commented, 'USCIS is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women.' He further added, 'It's a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth that only female athletes receive a visa to come to the U.S. to participate in women's sports.' What are the legal implications of this new policy? Trump Administration Imposes Lifetime Visa Ban on Transgender Athletes | Firstpost America | N18G This action extends a broader federal enforcement strategy led by President Donald Trump. On February 5, 2025, he signed Executive Order 14201, seeking to reinterpret Title IX of the Education Amendments strictly according to biological sex assigned at birth. The order threatened to 'rescind all funds from educational programs' permitting transgender women's participation in women's sports. Following the order, the NCAA mandated female-only participation for athletes assigned female at birth, and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) policies rapidly shifted to match. In July 2025, USOPC formally updated its eligibility rules to comply with the executive order. Legal experts warn these developments may face constitutional challenges. Lawsuits relating to Title IX and equal protection—including California and Idaho policies—are already moving through courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court's docket in the 2025‑26 term. While the visa restriction ostensibly focuses on transgender athletes, its language hints at broader applicability. According to policy analysts, consular officers may deny visas for 'reasonable suspicion of mismatch between gender identity and sex assigned at birth', raising concern for transgender travelers across all categories, including students and researchers. This visa policy marks a decisive moment in U.S. immigration and sports governance, reshaping entry criteria for transgender female athletes under contested grounds of fairness and biological authenticity. While proponents frame the move as protecting women's athletics, critics argue it reinforces systemic discrimination and violates the rights of a vulnerable minority. Legal and civil‑rights groups have pledged to challenge both the sports bans and visa restrictions. Institutions, including universities and Olympic bodies, must now maneuver through conflicting mandates—balancing Title IX obligations against federal immigration directives. As courtrooms, campuses, and consular offices grapple with this evolving framework, one truth remains clear: the debate over gender, sport, and immigration has become inseparable—and its outcomes may define access and equity for years to come. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Men don't belong in women sports': Donald Trump admin escalates attack on foreign trans athletes; restricts their sports visas
The Donald Trump administration is set to update its visa policies in an effort to bar transgender women from traveling to the United States to participate in women's sports. Terming it a "matter of safety", the US citizenship and immigration services (USCIS) said that it was an effort to ensure that only "female athletes" received visas to enter the States to participate in "women's sports". The statement doesn't mention the word transgender or trans, however, it does say "male" who "change their gender identity". 'Men do not belong in women's sports. USCIS is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women,' USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said. 'It's a matter of safety, fairness, respect, and truth that only female athletes receive a visa to come to the US to participate in women's sports. The Trump Administration is standing up for the silent majority who've long been victims of leftist policies that defy common sense," Matthew added. The updated policy impacts three visa categories designated for individuals with 'extraordinary ability' in fields such as science, the arts, education, business, or athletics. It also extends to national interest waivers, which permit applicants to bypass the labor certification process for green cards if they can demonstrate that their work benefits the national interest. The statement for the policy update clarified that the "USCIS considers the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women as a negative factor in determining whether the alien is among the small percentage at the very top of the field." "USCIS does not consider a male athlete who has gained acclaim in men's sports and seeks to compete in women's sports in the United States to be seeking to continue work in his area of extraordinary ability; male athletes seeking to enter the country to compete in women's sports do not substantially benefit the United States; and it is not in the national interest to the United States to waive the job offer and, thus, the labor certification requirement for male athletes whose proposed endeavor is to compete in women's sports," it added. This comes shortly after the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee banned trans women from competing in female sports. Only a few trans athletes have competed in past Olympics, including Laurel Hubbard, Alana Smith, and Quinn - the first nonbinary and trans athlete to win a medal.
