States do withhold licenses for failure to pay other debts, especially child support. Some states have what is almost an automatic garnishment for child support payments, requiring employers to pay a state registry directly even if the parent never missed a payment. I have to sign a statement every year that I am either not under a child support order or that I am current on payments.
Filing bankruptcy is a legal way to prevent the collection of debts. Congress has decided it isn’t allowed for student debts.
Mortgages are secured debt. Banks have plenty of options to collect, including foreclosure.