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[ccarbaugh]

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))

[mrtoad]

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

[Jingthing]

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 by Jingthing, 2009-11-19 16:26:17.

[kblaze]

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

[stevymac]

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

[Jingthing]

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?

[mrtoad]

Jingthing, on 2009-11-19 16:36:06, said:

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.

[Mrjlh]

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?

[thaiphoon]

mrtoad, on 2009-11-19 16:39:59, said:

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 ...

[LuckyLew]

Is this ex wife in USA or Thailand?

[F1fanatic]

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.

[Stumbo]

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.

[lopburi3]

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.

[givenall]

mrtoad, on 2009-11-19 16:05:09, said:

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

[zzaa09]

Jingthing, on 2009-11-19 17:07:51, said:

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.

[Ulysses G.]

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.

[Mario2008]

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

[lopburi3]

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).

[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 something that I think both the left wingers like me AND the teabag lovers can find in common.

Edited by Jingthing, 2009-11-19 20:11:38.

[F1fanatic]

Jingthing, on 2009-11-19 20:02:32, said:

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.

[Jingthing]

F1fanatic, on 2009-11-19 20:06:00, said:

Jingthing, on 2009-11-19 20:02:32, said:

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 by Jingthing, 2009-11-19 20:14:13.

[lopburi3]

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.

[Ulysses G.]

Mario2008, on 2009-11-19 19:58:56, said:

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 by Ulysses G., 2009-11-19 20:27:38.

[nputman]

Stumbo, on 2009-11-19 18:53:31, said:

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!

[lopburi3]

Quote

'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.