The United States Department of State has announced a new enforcement measure that will see passports revoked for parents with significant outstanding child support debts.
In a statement shared with the Associated Press on Thursday, the department said implementation will begin on Friday, initially targeting individuals owing at least $100,000 in unpaid child support.
Data from the United States Department of Health and Human Services indicates that approximately 2,700 people could be affected in the first phase of the policy rollout.
Officials said the measure is part of a broader enforcement framework that will eventually extend to parents who owe more than $2,500, in line with a 1996 federal law that has seen limited enforcement over the years.
The department noted that it is still working with state agencies to compile complete records of individuals owing above the $2,500 threshold, but estimates suggest the total number could reach several thousand nationwide.
Previously, passport restrictions were mainly applied when individuals sought to renew travel documents. Under the revised approach, however, state agencies will now transmit the names of all qualifying debtors to the State Department for possible passport revocation.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, said the policy expands an existing enforcement mechanism designed to improve compliance with child support obligations.
“We are expanding a commonsense practice that has been proven effective at getting those who owe child support to pay their debt,” she said, adding that affected individuals may regain passport privileges once they settle their obligations.
The State Department also reported that some parents have begun clearing outstanding debts following earlier public reports in February about the planned policy expansion.
