Federal gov’t to begin new phase of passport revocations for parents owing $15,000 or more in child support

By THE STAR STAFF

The federal government will launch a new round of passport revocations next Monday, targeting noncustodial parents with eligible child‑support debts of $15,000 or more, María del Mar Mateu Meléndez, the head of Puerto Rico’s Administration for Child Support Enforcement (ASUME), announced Tuesday.

Mateu Meléndez said the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) has accelerated its enforcement schedule, lowering the debt threshold six times in under five months -- from an initial $100,000 to the new $15,000 minimum.

“This new stage incorporates noncustodial parents with balances far lower than those included in previous phases, and who may now face the revocation of their passports,” she said. “We urge all obligors to verify their debts, understand the status of their cases, and contact ASUME before the federal government decides regarding their passports.”

According to ASUME, OCSE sent the latest list of eligible cases to the U.S. Department of State on Monday. The federal agency will now identify individuals with active passports and may begin revocations as early as next week.

The federal enforcement campaign began in May with cases involving debts of $100,000 or more. Subsequent phases lowered the threshold to $75,000, $50,000, $40,000, and most recently $25,000. The fifth phase, launched Aug. 27, included more than 5,400 people in Puerto Rico with child‑support arrears between $25,000 and $39,999.

Mateu Meléndez emphasized that the goal is not punitive but protective.

“This is not about a payment -- it is about ensuring our children’s well‑being and quality of life,” she said.