The U.S. Government has started revoking the passports of Americans who owe unpaid child support.
Once revoked, a passport can’t be used for travel.
Authorities have been legally able to do this since 1996, but have only partially enforced the rule until now.
The Government is starting with the passports of those who owe $100,000 or more in child support.
The law
A law allowing the State Department to cancel passports based on child support debts has existed since 1996, when then-president Bill Clinton signed it into effect as part of broader welfare reform.
Back then, anyone owing more than $5,000 in unpaid child support could be denied a passport.
In 2005, that threshold was lowered to $2,500.
Historically, authorities would only act when a parent came to them to renew a passport or when visiting a consulate.
Update
This week, the U.S. Government announced it is now enforcing the law on an “unprecedented scale,” coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services to actively revoke passports, not just block renewals.
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Revocations started on Friday, targeting parents who owe $100,000 or more in child support payments.
The Government estimates this cohort includes about 2,700 people.
The program will soon expand to cover everyone above the $2,500 threshold – potentially tens of thousands more people.
If a passport is revoked while a person is abroad, they will be eligible for a limited-validity passport, but only to return directly to the U.S.
No other types of international travel will be permitted.
Parents with revoked passports will need to apply for a new one after authorities confirm the debt is cleared.
Comments
The U.S. State Department says the initiative is about “putting American families first”.
The Department confirmed to media that hundreds of parents settled their debts with state authorities after news broke in February that the crackdown was coming.
Assistant Secretary of State Mora Namdar told the Associated Press: “Once these parents resolve their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of a U.S. passport.”
