Chicago – May 08, 2026
The U.S. State Department will begin revoking passports from parents who owe substantial child support, with the first wave targeting those behind by $100,000 or more, according to The Associated Press.
The move is part of a stepped-up enforcement of a 1996 federal law that already allows passport denial for child support arrears above $2,500.
Officials told AP the initial phase could affect about 2,700 passport holders, while the broader policy is expected to reach many more parents once the lower threshold is enforced more widely.
Under the plan, the Health and Human Services Department will share overdue child support data with the State Department, which can then revoke valid passports until the debt is addressed.
The policy is aimed at pressuring delinquent parents to pay, but it also raises concerns about how travel restrictions will affect families already under financial strain.
