DHS Suspends Global Entry Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown; TSA PreCheck Remains Open
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Sunday that it has suspended operations of the Global Entry program as the partial government shutdown entered its second week. In contrast, TSA PreCheck lanes continue to operate at U.S. airports, though the agency warned that staffing shortages could lead to adjustments on a case-by-case basis.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are Trusted Traveler programs managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, respectively. These programs allow pre-screened travelers to move through airport security and customs lanes more quickly. According to the TSA, enrollment in these programs reached a record 40 million people in August 2024. The shutdown began on February 14 after Congress and the Trump administration failed to agree on DHS funding. The impasse stems from disagreements over immigration enforcement policies. TSA officers have been working without pay since the shutdown started, after previously doing so during a 43-day government shutdown last fall. The previous shutdown was estimated by the U.S. Travel Association to have cost the travel industry over $6 billion.
The suspension of Global Entry is part of DHS’s emergency measures to preserve limited resources amid the funding shortfall. The agency also halted courtesy and family police escorts at airports for members of Congress to focus on passenger screening. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Congressional Democrats as responsible for the shutdown and emphasized the impact on homeland security and public safety.
Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized the suspension, accusing the Trump administration’s DHS of deliberately undermining programs that ease and secure travel. In response, U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman described the suspension as “extremely disappointing,” noting that politicians from both parties have used air travel entities as leverage in political disputes. He urged policymakers to prioritize travelers and emphasized travel’s importance to the American economy.
Chris Sununu, president and CEO of Airlines for America, called the shutdown a political struggle that is making travelers the “political football” of Washington, highlighting the short notice given to travelers ahead of the Global Entry suspension amid a period of record-level air travel.
The TSA has indicated that it will continue to monitor staffing levels and may alter PreCheck operations if necessary. The suspension of Global Entry is expected to affect international travelers seeking expedited re-entry into the United States, who will now need to use regular customs lanes.
The travel industry awaits any developments regarding the government shutdown, while airlines, airports, and travelers adjust to the temporary changes in security processing. The DHS continues to operate under funding restrictions, and the impact on transportation security and traveler experience remains a concern.
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