The United States government has begun enforcing tougher measures against parents who fail to pay child support, including revoking their international passports.
According to reports by the Associated Press and Reuters, the new enforcement drive will initially affect about 2,700 Americans who owe at least $100,000 in unpaid child support obligations.
Authorities, however, say the crackdown could later extend to parents owing more than $2,500, in line with an existing federal law designed to compel compliance with child support payments.
Under the policy, the U.S. State Department can now proactively revoke passports using records supplied by the Department of Health and Human Services, marking a significant shift from the previous system where action was mostly taken during passport renewal applications.
Officials said the move is aimed at protecting children and ensuring parents meet their financial responsibilities.
“The passport denial programme has helped states collect more than $500 million in child support annually,” U.S. officials reportedly stated.
The development means affected Americans could lose the ability to travel internationally until they clear or significantly reduce their child support debts.
Reports also indicate that U.S. embassies may issue limited emergency travel documents to stranded citizens abroad strictly for their return to America.
The latest policy has sparked widespread debate online, with many supporting the move as a strong accountability measure, while others argue it could worsen financial hardship for indebted parents.
The U.S. government has maintained that child welfare remains the priority behind the decision.
