The U.S. government will begin revoking the passports of parents who owe substantial unpaid child support, according to an Associated Press report. Under a new policy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will notify the State Department of individuals with past-due child support payments exceeding $2,500. Parents in that group who hold valid U.S. passports will have those documents revoked, the department said.
The State Department will implement the revocations, a move that is expected to affect thousands of parents. The exact number of individuals impacted was not immediately specified, but the policy targets those with significant arrears. The threshold of $2,500 in unpaid support triggers the reporting requirement from HHS to the State Department.
The policy aims to enforce child support obligations by restricting international travel for non-compliant parents. By revoking passports, the government seeks to compel payment of overdue support. The measure applies to parents who are behind on court-ordered child support payments, and the revocation process will be carried out by the State Department once it receives information from HHS.
News of the policy was covered by outlets across the political spectrum. PBS NewsHour reported that HHS will inform the State Department of all past-due payments over $2,500, leading to passport revocation. Newsmax highlighted that the State Department will begin revoking passports of thousands of parents who owe a significant amount of unpaid child support. Both accounts relied on the Associated Press report.
The policy does not specify a grace period or a process for reinstatement in the initial announcements. It remains unclear how quickly the revocations will take effect or how affected parents will be notified. The Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department have not released additional details beyond the initial report.
The implementation of this policy marks a new enforcement tool for child support agencies. Previously, states could suspend driver’s licenses or professional licenses for non-payment, but passport revocation represents a federal-level action. The policy is now in effect, and the State Department is expected to begin processing revocations for those identified by HHS.
We don't rate truth. We strip the spin and show you which perspectives covered the story. You decide.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy