President Donald Trump's administration began denying visas to the unmarried, same-sex partners of foreign diplomats and officials and employees of the United Nations this week — making marriage a requirement to be eligible for a visa.

The policy was made effective Monday.

It comes despite the fact that the majority of countries do not recognize same-sex marriage and many same-sex couples face prosecution in their own countries.

The shift was detailed in a memo circulated at the United Nations' headquarters in New York last month but unveiled in July, according to the State Department.

The policy shift gives the same-sex partners of foreign diplomats and U.N. workers until the end of the year to get married or leave the country.

The State Department said in a briefing Tuesday that the policy will affectFinding SuccessWithYour Degree

Soprano Latonia Moore, a UNT alumna, has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera and the Hamburg State Opera in iconic roles including the title roles in Aida and in Madame Butterfly.

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The path to musical success

UNT is located in Denton, a friendly college town with a thriving music scene that has gained recognition from The New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine, among others. Located 40 miles north of Dallas and Fort Worth, Denton is a part of one of the nation’s largest metropolitan regions and has an abundance of jobs, internships and performance opportunities. Learn more about local opportunities in the arts.

College of Music students have placed as national winners or finalists in a wide variety of competitions, including the