DHS suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry as funding lapse begins

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed it will suspend expedited traveler programs at airports and U.S. ports of entry beginning 6 a.m. ET Sunday. The pause affects the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA PreCheck and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry, removing the faster security and entry lanes for enrolled travelers. DHS said the action follows a department funding lapse that began Feb. 14 amid negotiations between the White House and Senate Democrats over DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies. As a result, enrolled passengers should expect standard processing and possible delays at checkpoints and crossings.

Key Takeaways

• The suspension takes effect at 6 a.m. ET Sunday and covers TSA PreCheck and Global Entry services at U.S. airports and ports of entry.
• DHS announced the pause after a funding lapse that started Feb. 14 during talks over DHS and ICE reforms following two deaths in Minneapolis involving federal law enforcement.
• Personnel at FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard are not being paid but are largely continuing to work because they are deemed critical functions.
• ICE and Customs and Border Protection staff remain on paid duty under $75 billion in funding approved last year, according to the department.
• The suspension was first reported by The Washington Post and confirmed by a DHS spokesperson in a public statement.
• Travelers enrolled in the affected programs will temporarily lose expedited screening privileges and should plan for standard security and customs processing times.

Background

The pause in expedited programs occurs against the backdrop of a DHS funding lapse that began Feb. 14, when Congress and the White House were unable to reach agreement on department funding levels and policy changes. Lawmakers have been negotiating proposals that would alter oversight and operations at DHS and its component agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The debate intensified after two people were killed in Minneapolis by federal law enforcement personnel amid a federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants, a development that helped drive demands for policy changes.

DHS funds many operations through annual appropriations; when funding expires, nonexempt programs and activities can be suspended or curtailed until lawmakers act. Agencies designated as performing critical national-security or public-safety roles often continue operating even if pay is delayed. Historically, funding disruptions have produced slower processing at checkpoints and reduced services for travelers and border crossers, pressing airlines, ports and local authorities to adjust operations.

Main Event

A DHS spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, confirmed the department will suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry starting at 6 a.m. ET Sunday, after the funding lapse left certain program operations unfunded. The Washington Post first reported the planned suspension; DHS subsequently issued a statement confirming the timing and scope. Under the pause, vetted passengers will no longer be able to use PreCheck lanes or Global Entry kiosks for expedited screening and entry.

Operationally, the change means airports and ports of entry must revert to standard screening and customs procedures for all travelers, which can increase queue lengths and processing times. DHS said certain components—FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard—are not receiving pay but are continuing to report for duty because their functions are classified as critical. Separately, ICE and CBP personnel remain on paid duty under a $75 billion allocation approved last year, a funding stream that continues to cover their pay.

Airlines, airport authorities and international carriers were advised to prepare for altered passenger flows and to communicate expected processing times to customers. Travelers who rely on PreCheck or Global Entry for faster transit through security and border control should anticipate using standard lanes and allowing extra time for arrival and departure procedures. Officials did not detail how long the suspension will last pending legislative action.

Analysis & Implications

The immediate operational effect will be slower throughput at airports and border crossings that rely on a mix of expedited and standard lanes to manage passenger flows. Even a temporary suspension of PreCheck and Global Entry can increase congestion during peak travel periods, add strain to screening staff and raise the risk of missed connections for travelers. For business and leisure passengers who budget tight connection windows around expedited clearance, the pause may translate into additional costs and itinerary disruptions.

Politically, the suspension puts pressure on lawmakers to resolve the funding and policy disputes quickly. Congressional delay prolongs uncertainty for transportation agencies, state and local partners, and private-sector operators who manage passenger flows. It also creates a public-relations challenge for DHS leadership, which must balance maintaining core security functions with enforcing budgetary constraints imposed by a lapse in appropriations.

From a border-security perspective, the continued paid status for ICE and CBP personnel under the previously approved $75 billion allocation reduces certain operational risks at ports of entry, but it does not replace the convenience or administrative efficiencies the suspended programs provide. If the funding lapse extends, airlines and border agencies may need contingency plans such as reallocating staff or changing lane configurations to manage throughput without expedited-program support.

Comparison & Data

The table above summarizes the immediate operational changes confirmed by DHS. While TSA and CBP will pause the two expedited-enrollment programs, other components continue to operate under differing funding conditions. Airport operators and border authorities must integrate these shifts into queue management and staffing plans until Congress restores or reauthorizes funding.

Reactions & Quotes

The programs will be suspended beginning at 6 a.m. ET Sunday due to the funding lapse.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokeswoman

The planned pause was first reported by The Washington Post and later confirmed by DHS.

The Washington Post (news)

Airport and travel industry groups warned travelers to allow extra time and prepare for standard processing while the pause is in effect.

Industry advisories (trade groups)

Unconfirmed

• The expected duration of the suspension has not been announced and remains uncertain pending congressional action.
• It is unclear whether enrollment centers for new applicants will close or remain open during the lapse.
• No formal guidance on fee refunds or expedited reactivation timelines for affected members has been released.

Bottom Line

The DHS suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry beginning 6 a.m. ET Sunday is a direct operational consequence of a department funding lapse that started Feb. 14. Travelers who rely on expedited screening should plan for standard processing, longer lines and allow additional time for departures and arrivals. Airlines, airports and border authorities will face short-term operational strain and must adjust staffing and passenger communications accordingly.

The political and administrative stakes are high: resolving the funding lapse quickly would restore traveler conveniences and reduce pressure on transport and border systems, while a prolonged lapse could force more significant operational changes. Key items to watch are congressional negotiations, any formal DHS timelines for restoration, and guidance for enrolled travelers on account status and refunds.

Sources

• NBC News (news report confirming suspension)
• The Washington Post (news; first reported the planned suspension)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security (official department site)