Federal officials are preparing a new wave of passport restrictions aimed at Americans who owe substantial child support, marking a sharper enforcement push than in years past.
The Associated Press reported that a U.S. official confirmed individuals with more than $100,000 in unpaid child support are expected to be prioritized for passport revocation. Those who agree to structured repayment plans may still have a path to keep their travel documents active.
Three U.S. officials told the AP that the Trump administration plans to rely on authority established under the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. That legislation created the Passport Denial Program, which allows the federal government to deny or revoke passports for parents whose unpaid child support exceeds $2,500.
Historically, enforcement mostly happened when someone applied to renew a passport or requested services at a U.S. consulate. Now, according to the AP, the administration is preparing to actively identify individuals with large arrears instead of waiting for routine applications to trigger review.
In a statement to the wire service, the State Department said it “is reviewing options to enforce long-standing law to prevent those owing substantial amounts of child support from neglecting their legal and moral obligations to their children.”
The Hill separately reported that the agency did not immediately respond to its request for further comment.
If fully implemented, the expanded enforcement effort could affect thousands of Americans with significant child support debt, especially those who travel internationally for business or personal reasons.
