Court recognizes gender pronouns of illegal migrant.

Supreme Court Recognizes Transgender Migrant’s Preferred Pronouns in Landmark Decision

The Background

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Leon Santos-Zacaria, a Guatemalan native and trans-identifying man who goes by Estrella. Santos-Zacaria fled Guatemala in his early teens due to physical harm and death threats over his transgender status and same-sex attraction. He returned to the U.S. illegally in 2018 and was apprehended again. A second removal order was issued for him, but he challenged the removal order, appealing to his status as a trans-identifying person.

The Decision

The Supreme Court overruled a lower court’s decision against Santos-Zacaria, making it easier for a migrant to challenge a Board of Immigration Appeals ruling. The court recognized Santos-Zacaria’s preferred female pronouns despite the fact he is a biological male. The decision was approved by all nine Supreme Court justices.

The Debate

Critics on social media expressed alarm over the Supreme Court appearing to subtly take a stand on the contentious debate around gender identity. The debate over gender ideology has ramped up over the last few years, particularly in the health care and education sectors. Parents especially have expressed concern about their gender dysphoric children being medically transitioned through hormone treatments and surgeries. “Detransitioners” who medically transitioned as youths have since come out and said publicly that they regret it. Other parents have sounded the alarm about their children being exposed to the concept of gender identity and transition in school through curricula and school library books.

The Future

Critics worry that all nine Supreme Court justices have just suggested they are willing to use someone’s preferred pronouns, which could come into play if the Supreme Court hears high-profile cases dealing with gender identity in the future.