Thousands of American parents who owe large amounts of unpaid child support are set to lose their passports as the U.S. government moves to expand enforcement of a long-standing federal law, the Associated Press reports.The US State Department confirmed that cancellations will begin on Friday, initially targeting parents who owe $100,000 or more. Officials estimate that about 2,700 passport holders fall into this category, based on data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.The move is a change from previous practice, where passports were typically only marked when people applied for renewal or used consular services.
Under the new system, authorities will now actively cancel passports based on debt information shared by federal and state agencies.“We are expanding a common-sense practice that has proven effective in convincing those who owe child support to pay their debts,” said Maura Namdar, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.“Once these parents pay off their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of an American passport,” she added.
The policy is expected to expand further to include parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support, the minimum set under the 1996 law. The number of people affected at this level has not yet been confirmed, but it could reach several thousand more once statewide data collection is complete.Under this system, DHHS will notify the Department of State of individuals who are in arrears. Those identified will have their passports canceled and will be required to settle their debts before reapplying for travel documents.Parents whose passports have been canceled will be informed that their documents are no longer valid for international travel. Those who have already left the country at the time of cancellation will need to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain emergency travel documentation to return home.The program has already shown results with some parents making back payments after news of the campaign emerged earlier this year.The policy is part of the Passport Denial Program created under federal law in 1996, which allows the government to restrict passports for individuals with significant child support arrears. Since its launch, the program has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid support, including more than $156 million in the past five years alone. Enforcement will be implemented in phases, starting with higher debt thresholds before reaching lower levels of arrears.
