The United States has said it will more aggressively revoke passports from parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support.
The US Department of State said in a statement on Thursday that the Donald Trump administration is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out the action.
According to the agency, the measure is meant to make sure that parents who neglect their children’s financial obligations face “real consequences.”
“U.S. law requires Americans to comply with child support obligations in order to receive a U.S. passport and allows the Department of State to revoke the passport of an individual who owes more than $2,500 in child support.”
According to the state department, it is currently collaborating with HHS “on an unprecedented scale” to find and punish people who owe a substantial amount of unpaid child support.
The statement further claims that once revocation takes place, those who are impacted run the possibility of being unable to use their passports for foreign travel.
Consequently, the agency warned parents with unpaid child support obligations to settle their debts immediately to avoid sanctions.
BACKSTORY…
This comes shortly after the United States reversed a regulation that had blocked applications under its travel ban system and is now processing visas for Nigerian and other foreign doctors.
The Department of Homeland Security had earlier implemented a measure tied to a January travel ban covering citizens from 39 countries, which halted decisions on visa extensions, work permits and green cards.
However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised its rules to lift restrictions on medical professionals and process their applications.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the development to the NYT, stating that “applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing.”
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