You kind of missed a point, he's not being judged because he's not liked. He's being judged on the fact that he ran out on his financial responsibility and left

You kind of missed a point, he's not being judged because he's not liked. He's being judged on the fact that he ran out on his financial responsibility and left the government to foot the bill. His return means that his ex-wife has to pay back the money then claim it from him. Which he'll probably never pay because he doesn't have it either. Ideally the government should ask the man to pay back the money, the judge would have no issue granting his request then.