The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the suspension of the Global Entry program due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. Originally, there were plans to halt the TSA PreCheck program too, but that decision was reversed. A DHS official stated that as staffing issues arise, TSA will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.
This shutdown, which began on February 14, stems from a standoff between Democrats and the White House over funding for the DHS. Democrats have pushed for changes to immigration policies that are part of President Trump’s agenda.
Security lines at airports have generally remained manageable, with most wait times under 15 minutes as reported by the TSA’s mobile app. However, travelers like Blair Perkins, who had to wait about 30 minutes in the standard customs line, expressed frustration. Perkins noted that normally, Global Entry expedites this process to just 5 minutes.
Travel industry experts suggest that Global Entry can significantly cut customs wait times, often reducing a typical 30 to 90-minute wait down to just 5 to 10 minutes. As of 2024, over 20 million Americans benefit from TSA PreCheck, which also includes Global Entry.
During these delays, a major winter storm is affecting flights on the East Coast. Authorities canceled about 90% of flights at major airports like JFK and LaGuardia.
Travel representatives, including Geoff Freeman from the U.S. Travel Association, welcomed the decision to maintain TSA PreCheck, emphasizing that shutting down essential services impacts more than just travelers—it affects the entire travel industry.
Criticism has been aimed at the DHS for how it’s handling the situation. Legislators claim that the decision to suspend programs like Global Entry is a strategic move meant to create difficulties and leverage political negotiations. Democratic Senator Andy Kim suggested that the administration’s approach to managing the shutdown is using travelers as pawns.
As the situation evolves, travelers and industry professionals alike are watching closely, hoping for a swift resolution that can restore normalcy to airport operations.
For more insights on government operations and travel, you can explore reports from trusted sources like AP News.
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