The Trump administration is cracking down on deadbeat parents who enjoy travel outside the United States.
On Thursday, the State Department said citizens who owe at least $2,500 in court-ordered child support will have their passports revoked for continuing to neglect their “legal and moral obligations” to their children.
Affected parents can apply for a new passport only when the total amount is paid off under the expanded policy.
“Under the Trump Administration, the Department of State is coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services on an unprecedented scale to revoke the passports of Americans who have racked up significant outstanding child support debt,” a government spokesperson said in a statement .
“This action supports the welfare of American children by exacting real consequences for child support delinquency under existing federal law.”
Parents owing $100,000 or more targeted first
A government official toldThe Associated Pressthat, beginning Friday, parents who owe $100,000 or more will be the first to see their passports cancelled, which would apply to about 2,700 Americans, according to Health and Human Services figures.
The government said affected Americans will receive a notice from the Treasury Department outlining how much is owed and that they will not be able to use their documents for travel, adding they should make arrangements to pay off their debt before another one can be issued.
“Once a passport is revoked, it may no longer be used for travel,” the statement said. “Eligibility for a new passport will only be restored after child support debt is paid to the relevant state child support enforcement agency and the individual is no longer delinquent according to HHS records.
However, it is unknown how many people who owe at least $2,500 in child support would be affected.
Affected Americans abroad need temporary document
For travellers outside the country who find out that their passport could be denied or revoked, a temporary travel document will be issued at a U.S. embassy or consulate to return to the U.S.
According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services , residents who apply for a new passport after receiving a notice it was revoked, that application will be held for 90 days until the debt is cleared.
The original policy, which began in 1998, has led to the recovery of $657 million in arrears, the government said, which includes $156 million over the past five years.
Most passports, once issued, are valid for 10 years.
