The United States has stopped issuing passports with the gender-neutral “X” option, the State Department announced, following an executive order from President Donald Trump that restricts federal recognition of transgender identity. This decision reverses a policy introduced under the previous administration of President Joe Biden, leaving many individuals uncertain about the status of their pending applications and already issued passports.

Shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump signed an executive order mandating that federal agencies only recognize male or female gender markers. This move is part of a broader effort to swiftly overturn policies enacted by his predecessor.

“In accordance with the Executive Order, the Department’s issuance of U.S. passports will now reflect the individual’s biological sex as defined in the directive,” a State Department spokesperson stated on Friday. The spokesperson confirmed that the department “is no longer issuing U.S. passports with X markers” and has “paused processing of all applications requesting a gender marker other than those specified in the Executive Order.”

The spokesperson added that guidance for individuals holding previously issued passports with the X marker will be provided soon, with updates to be posted on the department’s travel website.

The State Department first introduced the X gender marker in October 2021 following a legal battle initiated by an intersex individual from Colorado. By early 2022, the department had begun routinely processing passports with the X designation. While exact figures on the number of X passports issued or requested have not been released, a study by UCLA Law School’s Williams Institute estimated that over 16,000 people would apply for such passports annually.

During his campaign, Trump criticized transgender-related policies, particularly those involving women’s sports and medical care for children.