The Supreme Court has allowed the State Department to implement a policy that stops transgender people from accessing passports with correct gender markers. The policy discontinues passports using an X gender marker and requires that individuals have a gender marker that matches their sex assigned at birth.
Last-reviewed: Feb. 4, 2026
- REAL ID: The deadline for people to convert their driver’s license or identification card to a REAL ID was May 7, 2025. Travelers will still need a US or foreign Passport to travel internationally.
- Driver’s licenses for undocumented residents: 19 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico currently offer driver’s licenses to eligible applicants regardless of their immigration status. Read more about which states have expanded license eligibility by reading this National Immigration Lawyer Center’s report.
- Travel: The State Department has travel resources that include country-specific advisories, checklists, and emergency tips. Stay up to date on policy changes by signing up for alerts through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
- Consumer Protection: Many airlines have been experiencing delays and cancellations. Learn about consumer rights and how to file complaints by visiting the Aviation Consumer Protection page.
- Disaster Assistance: The National Transportation Safety Board provides some services to survivors of plane, rail, highway, marine, and pipeline accidents. Information for survivors and their families available at the Transportation Disaster Assistance Division.
- Highway Safety: The National Highway Traffic Safety Admin has a new app that sends car owners alerts when their car has a safety recall.
Spotlight on Equity
Public transportation providers cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age. This includes all aspects of transportation, including airlines, buses, and trains. If a person believes they have been discriminated against, they can file a complaint with the FTA Office of Civil Rights. Note that even though religion, sex, and age are not specifically outlined on the form, a person can assert their right against discrimination by selecting “other.”