US To Revoke Passports of Parents Who Owe Child Support, Cautions Nationals Abroad
- The US State Department has sent social media into a frenzy with its new announcement regarding US passports
- It stated that persons who owe a significant amount of child support will have their passports revoked
- Social media users who reacted to the announcement shared varied opinions on the decision announced by the US government
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The United States has triggered widespread reactions online after announcing plans to take drastic action against parents with child support debt.
This comes after the U.S. Department of State, Consular Affairs, in a Facebook post on May 8, announced that it would revoke the U.S. passports of persons found not to be fulfilling their obligation to pay child support.
Source: Getty Images
According to the government agency, persons who are in debt when it comes to child support payments should arrange with the relevant authorities to avoid having their passports revoked.
“In coordination with @HHSGov, @StateDept will revoke U.S. passports of those who owe significant child support debt. Anyone owing child support debt should arrange payment now with the relevant state child support enforcement agency to prevent passport revocation.”
It added that if a person is outside the country at the time of passport revocation, such a person will not be issued a regular passport but only a temporary one for return to the United States.
“If outside the U.S. when their passport is revoked, individuals with significant debt will be eligible ONLY for a limited validity passport for direct return to the United States.”
Source: Getty Images
The US State Department on its website states that persons seeking a US passport must not owe more than $2,500 in child support.
“If you owe more than $2,500, federal regulations do not allow us to issue you a U.S. passport and we may revoke your valid U.S. passport.”
At the time of writing, the post had racked up over 1,000 likes and 500 comments.
Below is the Facebook post:
Reactions to US stance on child support
People who took to the comment section of the post shared hilarious reactions to the announcement by the US State Department.
Diana Grannis stated:
“I’m thinking the people who owe past child support don’t have a passport. Therefore, the government won’t be able to apprehend too many deadbeats, but it’s a start. (I stand corrected! Guess there are many deadbeats who refuse to pay and still travel abroad.)”
Maria Jose Asbury said:
“In my home country, you can't even remarry if you owe child support. People must produce a certificate provided by the state confirming they don't owe child support.”
Peter Carmel added:
“This is great, but in reality a passport isn’t needed to cross land borders. So they can travel to and from Mexico and Canada via the land border.”
Pauletta Fajinmi stated:
“I think the parent who receives child support should have to add it to their taxes like people who receive alimony.”
US announces package for foreigners willing to leave
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that the US has announced a package for illegal residents willing to leave the country.
In a Facebook post on March 26, the Department of Homeland Security announced that participants would be provided with a free flight home.
Additionally, an amount of $2,600, equivalent to about GH₵29,000, would be given to each person as an incentive.
Source: YEN.com.gh
