Registered child sex offenders in the US are about to have their passports revoked. Their new passports will require a “unique identifier" printed on the inside of the back cover that reads, “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to (U.S. law).”
The passport requirement is part of the "International Megan's Law," which passed last year.
According to AP, this new law "aims to curb child exploitation and child sex tourism."
Registered child sex offenders will still be able to travel out of the US, but may not be accepted into the country they are traveling to.
The State Department said the language in the passports “will not prevent covered sex offenders from departing the United States, nor will it affect the validity of their passports.”
However, it also noted that American citizens, like those of other nations, are subject to the entry laws, rules and requirements of countries they wish to visit. Many countries prohibit or place strict restrictions on the travel of convicted felons.
Child sex offenders are the only types of felons required to be identified on US passports.
Image: Kat
