Parents in the US who fall behind on child support could soon find their American passports taken away, following a tougher enforcement push announced by the Trump administration on May 7.
The US Department of State said the renewed effort will focus on people who owe what it described as ‘substantial amounts of court-ordered child support’. Those affected could have their passports revoked, limiting international travel and potentially removing a commonly used form of identification.
A spokesperson from the department wrote: “Under President Trump, the Department of State is using common sense tools to support American families and strengthen compliance with US laws.”
A federal rule dating back to 1996 already requires applicants to be up to date on child support payments to obtain a passport. The State Department can also revoke passports when an individual owes more than $2,500 in unpaid support.
Historically, the measure has been used infrequently, and often came into play mainly when someone with outstanding debt attempted to renew a passport.
But beginning May 8, the administration is expected to apply the law far more aggressively, according to AP.
The statement added: “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.
“This action supports the welfare of American children by exacting real consequences for child support delinquency under existing federal law.”
Officials also advised anyone behind on payments to settle what they owe as soon as possible to avoid ‘passport revocation’.
“Eligibility for a new passport will only be restored after child support debt is paid to the relevant state child support enforcement agency,” it continued, “And the individual is no longer delinquent according to HHS records.”
AP further reported that Americans who are abroad when their passport is cancelled may be instructed to go to a US embassy to obtain an emergency travel document so they can return home.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar added: “Once these parents resolve their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of a US passport.
“We are taking this action precisely to impel these parents to do the right thing by their children and by US law.”
The department also said that since the policy was introduced, states have recovered $657 million in overdue child support, calling the enforcement mechanism a ‘powerful tool’.