US to Expand Passport Revocations for Delinquent Child Support

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The Trump administration plans to expand and step up enforcement of a 30-year-old law that allows the federal government to revoke American passports from parents who owe a significant amount of child support, according to three U.S. officials. While passport revocations for unpaid child support of more than $2,500 have been permitted under 1996 federal legislation, the State Department had previously only acted when someone applied to renew their travel document or sought other consular services.

Why it matters

This move is intended to increase pressure on parents who are delinquent on child support payments by restricting their ability to travel internationally. Proponents argue it will help ensure children receive the financial support they are owed, while critics say it may unfairly punish parents who are struggling financially.

The details

The new enforcement approach will allow the State Department to proactively revoke passports of parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support, rather than waiting for them to apply for passport services. This is an expansion of a 1996 law that permitted such revocations but was not actively enforced in the past.

• The 1996 federal legislation allowing passport revocations for unpaid child support over $2,500 has been in place for 30 years.
• The Trump administration plans to expand and step up enforcement of this law in the near future.

What’s next

The State Department is expected to begin more actively revoking the passports of parents who owe significant child support in the coming months as part of this expanded enforcement effort.