The United States government says it is stepping up efforts to revoke the passports of parents owing more than $2,500 in child support.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the US Department of State said the measure is being implemented by the Donald Trump administration in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
According to the department, the move is aimed at ensuring that parents who neglect their financial responsibilities to their children 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,” the statement said.
The department added that it is collaborating with HHS “on an unprecedented scale” to identify and sanction individuals with large unpaid child support debts.
Officials warned that affected individuals could lose the right to use their passports for international travel once revocation takes effect.
The agency urged parents with outstanding child support obligations to settle their debts immediately to avoid penalties.
“Once a passport is revoked, it may no longer be used for travel,” the statement added.
“Any American with significant child support debt should arrange payment to the relevant state or states now to prevent passport revocation.”
The department explained that passport eligibility would only be restored after all debts are cleared through the appropriate state child support enforcement agency and the individual is removed from HHS delinquency records.
“The State Department is putting American families first through our passport process,” the statement reads.