The U.S. State Department has begun revoking the passports of thousands of Americans with large unpaid child support debts, according to federal officials.
The enforcement effort officially began Friday and will initially target parents who owe at least $100,000 in overdue child support. About 2,700 passport holders currently fall into that category, based on figures provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Under federal law, Americans with more than $2,500 in unpaid, court-ordered child support can already be denied a passport or have an existing passport revoked. In a statement released Thursday, the State Department said it is expanding coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to identify and enforce penalties against delinquent parents who exceed that threshold.
Officials said the crackdown is intended to pressure parents into complying with court-ordered child support obligations.
Once revoked, a passport can no longer be used for international travel, even if the debt is later paid, according to State Department guidance.
The department urged Americans with significant child support debt to contact the appropriate state child support enforcement agency and make payment arrangements before enforcement action is taken.
“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,” officials said.
Individuals affected by the policy must work directly with the state agency overseeing their child support case. After the debt is resolved, the Department of Health and Human Services must update its records before the State Department can issue a new passport. Officials said that process can take at least two to three weeks.
It remains unclear how many Americans could ultimately be affected by the expanded enforcement effort. Officials said that the Department of Health and Human Services is still gathering data from state agencies, but the number of passport holders owing more than $2,500 in child support debt could total many thousands more.
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