Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Pay Up Or It's No Passport For Your Cruise

A recent Fox News story has revealed that the same passport requirements which have caught thousands of travelers unprepared this year have also uncovered deadbeat dads whose child support payments are in arrears to the tune of millions. You see, the US State Department denies passports to noncustodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support.

Oops, somehow, these men are unaware that governement agencies at the state and federal level cooperate with each other. Adolfo Capestany, spokesman for the state of Washington's Division of Child Support, told Fox News, "For us, it's been amazing to see how people who owe back child support seem to be able to come up with good chunks of money when it involves needing their passport. Folks will do anything to get that passport, so it is a good collection tool." Once they catch up the support due, they can reapply for passports.

Collections from the Passport Denial Program can be expected to increase when future passport requirements take effect for sea, as well as air/land travelers. So, for you daddy-dearest types who plan to cruise with your new honeys, the message is clear... take care of your children. If you don't pay, you won't sail. (That goes for mommies as well.)

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