Prior to 1941, the US passport was nothing like what it is today. There are some pieces of passport legislation from the early days that are somewhat obscure. Such is the case with the US Passport Act of 1926 that came about when the idea of passports was circulating around the world – no pun intended!
Later added into US Code Title 22, the US Passport Act of 1926 was originally put into effect so that US citizens could use passports for travel abroad.
Several years ago, the law was changed to give the Secretary of State the authority to revoke a passport to any US citizen that is convicted of engaging in immoral acts with minors overseas.
Although there has only been one instance of the exclusion of a US citizen from travel abroad due to this type of conviction, some people feel that a new law is on the floor right now that could give the Secretary of State the right to revoke or deny a passport to any US citizen due to ‘seriously delinquent tax debt.’
Some argue that the Secretary of State should not be able to revoke the passports of pedophiles or those who don’t pay their taxes. Others feel that pedophiles and tax evaders should not be able to travel outside of the country.
Whatever side you agree with, passport legislation has certainly come a long way since the US Passport Act of 1926 and there are bound to be more changes in the future.
If you have any questions about getting a passport, give us a call at (212) 643-9305. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
