In a controversial move, President Trump has directed federal prisons to assign transgender women to men’s facilities and stop providing gender-affirming medical treatments. This policy, announced in a sweeping executive order on his first day back in office, aims to define gender strictly based on birth sex across government programs.

The order isn’t limited to prisons—it also affects immigration detention centers. With approximately 1,500 federal inmates identifying as transgender women, the decision has sparked intense debate. Supporters, including groups like the Women’s Liberation Front, call it a win for safety and privacy, arguing that housing transgender women in women’s prisons could violate the rights of female inmates. They’ve even challenged similar laws in states like California.

However, advocates for transgender rights warn that the policy endangers vulnerable individuals, exposing them to heightened risks of violence and discrimination in men’s facilities. Critics argue that the move disregards the dignity and safety of transgender people in custody.

This isn’t the first time Trump has restricted transgender rights during his presidency, but this latest order is being called one of the most far-reaching yet. As the debate heats up, the impact of these changes on incarcerated transgender individuals remains a pressing concern.