this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2026
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Parents who owe a significant amount of child support soon could lose their ability to travel internationally as the Trump administration expands and steps up enforcement of a 30-year-old law that allows the federal government to revoke American passports until payments are made, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press.

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[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 15 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Don't be surprised if they lower the threshold significantly before the midterms or 2028.

This, combined with the SAVE act and the voter rolls they're trying to get from Blue states, is an obvious way to invalidate an ID that would otherwise be 'secure' against the SAVE act, and to do it selectively.

[–] blitzen@lemmy.ca 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I mean yes, but something tells me excluding deadbeat dads hurt Republicans more.

[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 11 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Yes, but the threshold isn't a law, it's entirely up to them whose passports they revoke. Lowering it doesn't obligate them to revoke anyone's whose balance is above the threshold, just enables them to. They can just say, "now we're revoking passports for some people with $300+ of child support outstanding" (so essentially any missed or even upcoming month's payment), and then only revoke the passports for identified Democrat voters. Or they can just go by names, and target specific demographics. Name sounds "not white"? Revoked.

[–] how_we_burned@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 days ago

So you're telling me Elon Musk might end up restricted from travelling???

That guy has to owe a few billion in child support

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 5 points 3 days ago

Finally! It's been so disheartening how people who owe child support could freely travel internationally. As a voter, I applaud the end to this scurrilous practice that deprives us all of the liberty our forefathers fought for.

Also, dad will be back; he's just getting a pack of smokes. With two suitcases.

[–] EmpireInDecay@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

I kind of doubt that Bubba living in some field in his trailer up in Alabama has a passport to lose.