If the State dept has any record of you ever having changed gender markers— *even if you were previously issued a correct-gender passport*— all reports say Rubio's State dept simply takes your application, your old passport, *and supporting documents like birth certificates*, and *won't give them back*. These have been "on hold" for weeks; there's no sign what they intend to do or when. The ACLU (who *is* suing) recommends trans ppl NOT renew passports right now.

https://bsky.app/profile/aclu.org/post/3lgixjvnwm223

(2/4)

There are some *limited* options you still have. If you're in one of:

Michigan
Minnesota
New York
Vermont
Washington

You can get a "Enhanced Drivers License"¹ (or in NY at least, a "Enhanced Non-Driver ID"). This is proof of US citizenship within the US. If you have an EDL *or* a tribal ID, this is sufficient to cross into Canada², or to re-enter the US from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. These only work by *land or sea* (not air).

(3/4)

¹ https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they
² https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html#:~:text=Electronic%20Travel%20Authorization.-,us%20citizens,-If%20you%20are

The EDL/EDID helps because it is issued by a state; even with the Federal govt run by fascists you can still get one (with a correct gender marker!). If you are trans and live in one of these states I recommend getting one asap.

Caveats/weirdness:

- It turns out US citizens can *enter* Canada by land or sea with only a birth certificate and an ID… but the US might not allow you back in³ ⁉️❓ ❗

- I am not a lawyer or citable source, data checked as of 2025-02-03

(4/4)

³ https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1467?language=en_US

(5/4 — do I need to say this?)

1. RealID *is not* EDL

2. *Why is it you're going to Canada?*

Canada tourist visas for USians are generous— up to 6 months!— BUT border guards are VERY touchy about ANY sign you intend to overstay a visa OR work in Canada without a work permit. They CAN deny entry arbitrarily, and being denied entry is a permanent black mark. HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHERE YOU LIVE, WHERE YOU'RE STAYING, AND WHEN YOU INTEND TO LEAVE. Don't try to immigrate without a lawyer.

@xgranade @mcc “Attending a conference” is a better reason to offer than “speaking at a conference,” is what I would say, as a non-lawyer who has experienced this.

Other questions to watch out for: “Do you have any guns?”

“No!”

“I am asking you if you *own* any guns or keep any in your home.”

@xgranade @mcc FWIW, Canadian border control has been by far the most stressful of anywhere I’ve traveled in N America, Europe, Asia, Central America. Don’t get rattled! Just be polite and clear, and know they may intentionally try to throw you off guard.

(I don’t blame them, it’s just a lot. US is obviously the stressiest and scariest for visitors.)

@kissane @mcc No argument. I lived in Canada for almost a decade as an American citizen and crossed that border more times than I can count.

(Weirdly, even as stressful as Canadian border control often is, I've never gotten it nearly as bad as coming back into the US as a citizen.)