The US State Department will begin revoking the passports of thousands of parents who owe significant unpaid child support, starting with those owing $100,000 or more from Friday. This applies to about 2,700 American passport holders, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Expansion of the Program
The revocation program, first reported by the Associated Press in February, will soon expand to cover parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support, the threshold set by a 1996 law that has been little enforced. HHS is still collecting data, but officials say it could encompass many more thousands of people.
Until this week, only those applying to renew their passports faced penalties. Now, HHS will inform the State Department of all past-due payments over $2,500, and parents with passports will have them revoked.
Statements from Officials
Mora Namdar, assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, said: “We are expanding a commonsense practice that has been proven effective at getting those who owe child support to pay their debt. Once these parents resolve their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of a US passport.”
The State Department noted that since the AP report, hundreds of parents have resolved their arrears, though causation cannot be confirmed. The program has been a “powerful tool” since 1998, collecting some $657 million in arrears, including over $156 million in lump-sum payments in the past five years.
Consequences for Passport Holders
Those whose passports are revoked will be notified that they cannot use their documents for travel. They must apply for a new passport once their debts are confirmed paid. If abroad at the time of revocation, they must visit a US embassy or consulate to obtain an emergency travel document to return to the United States.
