On March 4, the Home Office issued guidelines for staff on how to process notifications and cancel passports for those who have not paid child support.

According to the law, the Department of Labor and Pensions (DWP) can seek a court order to cancel a person’s passport and prevent that person from getting a new passport.

Under the 2018 Child Benefit Regulation (various amendments), this court order would instruct Her Majesty’s Passport Office to cancel an individual’s passport and not renew it or issue a replacement for up to two years.

More information about the policy can be found here.

The information that appears to have become publicly known recently has sparked heated debates on social media.

A Twitter user said: “We are not shouting loud enough that PASSPORTS can be confiscated if child support is not paid. Look, carcinogenic feminism is going to kill us. Black men are already underpaid and exploited and over-policed, and now let’s add those measures. Whom does it serve?

We’re not shouting loud enough that passports can be confiscated if they don’t pay child support. Look, carcinogenic feminism is going to kill us. Black men are already underpaid and exploited and over-policed, and now let’s add those measures. Whom does it serve?

– Coochie Floss (@fanoniscanon) March 24, 2021

Carceral feminism is when feminists advocate increasing prison sentences or other forms of state power to protect women.

Another said, “Again, you can express the serious problems and consequences of passport confiscation without acting like child subsistence oppresses men. These men forego £ 7 weekly payments and refuse to take custody of the child. This is done from SPITE. “

Once again, you can express the grave problems and consequences of passport confiscation without acting like child livelihoods oppress men. These men forego £ 7 weekly payments and refuse to take custody of the child. This is done from SPITE.

– sold 🦋 (@eniolalala) March 24, 2021

Mina Lioness said, “I can’t lie, that’s horrible. The struggle will be for the impoverished fathers who fall short of supporting the children where a passport is their only form of identification. Access to ID cards in this country is already a privilege. “

I can’t lie, this is hideous, the case will be for the impoverished fathers who fall short of supporting children where a passport is their only idea. Access to ID cards in this country is already a privilege. https://t.co/hbH9nJoQkm

– mina (@MinaLioness) March 23, 2021

Sincerely, Tops said, “I don’t think they should have authority to cancel someone’s passport if they refuse to pay child support.

“Passport removal can be an inconvenience, but it doesn’t mean there is money available. What’s the real point? “

I don’t think they should have the power to cancel someone’s passport if they refuse to pay child support.

Removing your passport can be an inconvenience, but it doesn’t mean there is money available.

What’s the real point? https://t.co/hgBlO0xW9L

– Tops (@SincerelyTops) March 24, 2021

Others said those who wanted to avoid having their passports confiscated should only pay for their child’s maintenance.