Federal agencies appear to be utilizing a new method for garnishing seaman’s wages, which have historically been protected from garnishment by the seaman’s non-garnishment statute, 46 U.S.C. §11109(a) (formerly 46 U.S.C. §601). Specifically, federal agencies are relying upon the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. §§3701, et seq., (DCIA), to issue wage garnishment orders to recover all types of debts owed to the federal government, including student and FEMA loans. Continue reading >