Hello,

I was wondering if anyone else has

had the unfortunate experience of

having their passport confiscated

at the American Embassy?

I went yesterday morning to get

a few additional pages inserted and

due to my former wife's unbridled greed,

(she and her lawyer got the judge to base

the child-support on my full-time salary, so

it is 200% of my retirement pension.)

I came up on their computer as delinquent

in child support payments so my passport

was confiscated. I am now wondering what,

if anything, I can do to get my passport back.

Thanks,

ccarbaugh

((email removed - lopburi3))

I would guess that you will have to pay the monies, or return to the USA to resolve the issue.

Did they mention whether they will issue you an emergency travel passport just for the purpose of traveling back to the US? Whether or not your ex-wife has a case, I wish you the best and hope you can get this sorted out. It is offensive that our government abuses their power in this way. I can understand for a very serious criminal charge, in that case, the offenders should simply be arrested and deported. Leaving nationals "naked" with no passport in a country like Thailand is cruel and unusual. I understand some people will respond that you deserve it. To them I say wait until such draconian measures are used against you and then tell us how you feel.

Edited November 19, 200916 yr by Jingthing

You imply that you no longer have your full time salary and only have a pension to support your stay here, yet they are basing your support payments on the salary. Why haven't you informed the court of this? Need more info about yourself

thats harsh that m8, really feel 4 ya. the must be a way of gettin it back, try an think of good excuse as to why u need it back maybe even lie tellin them u gonna go back usa an sort it maybe? worth a go

I would assume they will issue an emergency passport good one time for traveling back to the US. If not, how could a person be expected to sort out a problem like this from abroad?

I would assume they will issue an emergency passport good one time for traveling back to the US. If not, how could a person be expected to sort out a problem like this from abroad?

Well, if he hasn't got a passport then he really can't actually stay here -so I would assume that you are correct JT that they would issue a one time emergency passport so he can go back to sort the mess out.

To get it (passport) back? Show the Embassy a signed receipt that you paid your debt in full. Doubtful...because they need a clearance letter from the court that this has happened.

You will need a lawyer...why? You are most likely now considered a fugitive avoiding justice.

If you go back...you'll probably be detained at Immigration and held for the authorities until it can be detertmined if the jurisdiction the court is in, wants your extradition.

Best you call a lawyer stateside and get this resolved quickly.

The longer you wait the worse it will get. For this to have happened you are at a minimum owing $5,000. That's the current limit for having a passport revoked. You'll find that somewhere in the passport regulations.

Call a stateside lawyer!!!!

How do I know all this? Happened only last year to a friend on mine from the states that lived in Phuket. He thought he had it all settled too. Fact is, there was more to the story. He came here thinking as long as he lived here they couldn't touch him. He owed big time...50K at least. Does this sound like your story too?

Well, if he hasn't got a passport then he really can't actually stay here -so I would assume that you are correct JT that they would issue a one time emergency passport so he can go back to sort the mess out.

Actually, until he gets a passport/emergency travel papers he can't leave here ...

Is this ex wife in USA or Thailand?

If you have a child here (as anywhere) you need to pay to support it.

Why do I get the impression you've been stupid and are now trying to run away from supporting YOUR child?

YOU married your former wife and have only recently realised her "unbridled greed". More fool you. You still need to look after your child.

Sorry, no sympathy whatsoever.

With all the stuff we all dump on Thailand, little stories like this are a timely reminder of how the west has become so PC bureaucratic and fascist. And how so many things here are so much better. Land of the free, eh? Hope you sort out the headaches.

He appears to have a child in the US and there is a court order issued because of failure to provide child support - that is why a passport would be taken during normal computer check at a Consulate.

I would guess that you will have to pay the monies, or return to the USA to resolve the issue.

you should take care of your kids

Did they mention whether they will issue you an emergency travel passport just for the purpose of traveling back to the US? Whether or not your ex-wife has a case, I wish you the best and hope you can get this sorted out. It is offensive that our government abuses their power in this way. I can understand for a very serious criminal charge, in that case, the offenders should simply be arrested and deported. Leaving nationals "naked" with no passport in a country like Thailand is cruel and unusual. I understand some people will respond that you deserve it. To them I say wait until such draconian measures are used against you and then tell us how you feel.

I too, find this a bit unusual. An American diplomatic service involving itself into a personal and legal Thai domestic issue. A truely criminal offence could be justified, but a domestic squabble? And then retaining ones passport...?? Odd.

It is easy to point fingers, but we don't really know his situation at all. My sister is involved in a similar kind of thing, but her husband was not abusive and did not want to break up. She just got bored of him and does not want to work and wants to live off the money that is supposed to go to the child.

This is not uncommon and who can blame a man for not wanting to support a woman who dumps him and uses his child as a weapon to get what she wants out of money meant for the child.

Child support is for the child, not the ex. Both parents have an obligation to support the child.

Obviously some are reading this different than others - again - it appears this is a US court order for non payment of child support that requires the US Embassy to retain passport (and not issue a passport) for those failing to pay child support. It has nothing to do with Thailand other than the fact the person is located here (as far as we know - he has not returned to answer any questions).

We don't know the details of the case. You can't legally exist in Thailand without a passport, so yes, it does relate to Thailand. Interestingly, sympathy for a man abused by heavy handed government power is something that I think both the left wingers like me AND the teabag lovers can find in common.

Edited November 19, 200916 yr by Jingthing

We don't know the details of the case. You can't legally exist in Thailand without a passport, so yes, it does relate to Thailand. Interestingly, sympathy for a man abused by heavy handed government power is somewhat that I think both the left wingers like me AND the teabag lovers can find in common.

Nope. He needs to look after his kid.

We don't know the details of the case. You can't legally exist in Thailand without a passport, so yes, it does relate to Thailand. Interestingly, sympathy for a man abused by heavy handed government power is somewhat that I think both the left wingers like me AND the teabag lovers can find in common.

Nope. He needs to look after his kid.

Being thrown into Thai immigration prison won't make that happen.

(somewhat in quote above should be something)

He may or may not be an irresponsible b-----d but he still needs a bloody passport.

Edited November 19, 200916 yr by Jingthing

The readers are trying to make this a child in Thailand issue (post 11 & 15) - that does not appear to be the case. That is what I mean with the non Thailand comment.

And I believe the UK has the same laws on there books now - deadbeats are no longer free to avoid legal obligations. So this is not just a US issue.

Child support is for the child, not the ex. Both parents have an obligation to support the child.

That is how it is supposed to be, but most of the time the man is providing all the funds if there is proof that he fathered the child. There is no way to stop women from siphoning money off for themselves if they have custody (which they get most of the time). In actual practice, only men are targeted by these laws and noone's passport is confiscated by the Embassy for owing other monies.

This man had his passport confiscated in Thailand because of a law in the U.S. and now he is Thailand's problem. That seems Thailand related to me.

Edited November 19, 200916 yr by Ulysses G.

With all the stuff we all dump on Thailand, little stories like this are a timely reminder of how the west has become so PC bureaucratic and fascist. And how so many things here are so much better. Land of the free, eh? Hope you sort out the headaches.

Yep!

'Deadbeat dads' face losing passports and driving licences WITHOUT a court appearance

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 10:12 AM on 27th January 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11...appearance.html

As I said - this is not just a US issue - the above is the UK.

What are some other reasons why they might confiscate your passport?

Child support is for the child, not the ex. Both parents have an obligation to support the child.

That is how it is supposed to be, but most of the time the man is providing all the funds if there is proof that he fathered the child. There is no way to stop women from siphoning money off for themselves if they have custody (which they get most of the time). In actual practice, only men are targeted by these laws and noone's passport is confiscated by the Embassy for owing other monies.

This man had his passport confiscated in Thailand because of a law in the U.S. and now he is Thailand's problem. That seems Thailand related to me.

There is a reason for that, as norm is still that the mother stays at home and takes care of the child,

limiting her ability to provide for the child.

But in some cases it is definately not fair and it is not only to support the child. However, in the OP's case I think based on his different incom he should have asked for an adjustment on the amount of monthly child support he has to pay.

you should contact Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton. I'm sure she would get things sorted out and lend an sympathetic ear.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/info/info_870.html

A federal or state law enforcement agency may request the denial of a passport on several regulatory grounds under 22 CFR 51.70 and 51.72. The principal law enforcement reasons for passport denial are a federal warrant of arrest, a federal or state criminal court order, a condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court), or a request for extradition. The HHS child support database and the Marshals Service WIN database are checked automatically for entitlement to a passport. Denial or revocation of a passport does not prevent the use of outstanding valid passports.

Passport revocation may be effected when the person obtained the passport fraudulently, when the passport was issued in error, when the person’s certificate of naturalization was cancelled by a federal court, or when the person would not be entitled to a new passport under 22 CFR 51.70 (a) or (. The physical revocation of a passport is often difficult, and an apparently valid passport can be used for travel until officially taken by an arresting officer or by a court.

how the west has become so PC bureaucratic and fascist

How can a government be in the same time p.c. and fascist?