The US government is set to implement stricter regulations regarding the revocation of passports from parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support. This law, initially established 30 years ago, allowed for passport revocation but only when an individual sought to renew their passport or request other consular services. The Department of State historically relied on individuals to approach them for assistance, which limited the enforcement of this policy.

Under the new initiative, the Department of State will take a proactive approach and will revoke passports based on information shared from the Department of Health, rather than waiting for individuals to request services. Officials indicated that this change reflects a shift toward more aggressive enforcement of child support obligations, aiming to ensure that parents fulfill their financial responsibilities to their children.

The implications of this policy shift could be significant, potentially affecting thousands of individuals who are behind on their child support payments. By acting on its own authority, the government hopes to emphasize the importance of child support compliance, while also potentially encouraging non-compliant parents to address their obligations more seriously to avoid the loss of their travel rights.