DHS Suspends Global Entry Amid Partial Federal Shutdown
Lead: On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the Global Entry program will be suspended for the duration of the partial federal government shutdown that began Feb. 14. DHS said it initially planned to pause both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck but reversed the PreCheck suspension; the agency warned staffing shortfalls will prompt case-by-case operational adjustments. The move coincided with a major winter storm and widespread flight cancellations along the East Coast, intensifying traveler disruption at key international gateways.
Key Takeaways
- The partial government shutdown began Feb. 14 after Congress failed to pass DHS funding; DHS announced Global Entry would be suspended while the shutdown continues.
- DHS said late Saturday it planned to suspend both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, but by Sunday it confirmed PreCheck would remain operational for now; courtesy escorts for Members of Congress were suspended to prioritize security duties.
- TSA reported most major international airports showed security wait times under 15 minutes midday Sunday via its mobile app; conditions can change rapidly during storms and staffing shortages.
- Travel-industry estimates put typical customs processing in regular lines at about 30–90 minutes versus roughly 5–10 minutes with Global Entry, though no government dataset gives a single definitive figure.
- More than 20 million Americans had TSA PreCheck as of DHS reporting in 2024, and many of those travelers also hold Global Entry memberships.
- Flight disruption overlapped the announcement: about 90% of departures at JFK, LaGuardia and Boston Logan were canceled for Monday because of a winter storm.
- Passengers reported longer-than-usual customs waits: one traveler who normally clears customs in under five minutes said it took about 30 minutes after Global Entry access was suspended.
Background
The current operational squeeze traces to a partial shutdown of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which began Feb. 14 when Congress and the White House failed to reach agreement. Lawmakers were at odds over immigration-related demands from House Democrats seeking changes to enforcement practices that intersect with the administration’s deportation priorities, a central point of contention in budget talks.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck were created to speed screening and border processing for preapproved, low-risk travelers: Global Entry expedites customs when returning to the United States, while PreCheck provides faster domestic security screening. Both programs require funding, staff and IT support across Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), so a funding lapse puts services that depend on operational personnel at risk.
Past funding gaps have forced agencies to scale back services or reassign personnel; DHS said emergency measures were needed to preserve limited funds and refocus staff on core security functions. The intersection of a shutdown and severe weather raised the prospect of compounded disruption to both passenger flows and airport operations.
Main Event
On Saturday evening DHS signaled it would suspend both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck; by Sunday the department revised that plan, announcing Global Entry would remain suspended for the length of the shutdown while PreCheck would continue to operate for the traveling public. A DHS spokesperson told reporters that as staffing constraints emerge, TSA would make case-by-case adjustments and prioritize mission-critical tasks.
The department also said it would suspend courtesy escort services — such as escorts for Members of Congress — so officers could concentrate on security duties. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem had warned that shutdowns carry “serious real-world consequences” and authorized cuts intended to conserve limited resources.
Operational impact varied by location. TSA’s mobile app showed many international airports with security wait times under 15 minutes midday Sunday, but passenger reports and travel-group statements suggested the situation was fragile. Airlines and industry groups said the announcements arrived with little notice, forcing travelers and carriers to adapt quickly amid weather-related cancellations.
Travelers returning from abroad described longer customs lines where Global Entry lanes were closed. One passenger from Dallas said the trip from Cancun normally took under five minutes to clear customs via Global Entry but took roughly 30 minutes after the suspension. Another traveler reported no issue getting through PreCheck at Baltimore early Sunday, illustrating uneven impacts across airports and times.
Analysis & Implications
Suspending Global Entry while leaving PreCheck open reflects an operational trade-off: CBP-managed Global Entry relies on customs officers at ports of entry, whereas PreCheck is managed by TSA screeners at security checkpoints. By keeping PreCheck active, DHS appears to be limiting immediate risk to airport security screening while reallocating scarce CBP resources to core customs and immigration inspections.
The short-term effect is measurable inconvenience for international arrivals and for travelers whose expedited processing depends on Global Entry kiosks. Travel-industry estimates of time savings (roughly 5–10 minutes with Global Entry versus 30–90 minutes in standard lines) indicate a potential for substantial queues and traveler frustration if suspension persists, particularly at busy entry points.
Politically, the shutdown and the accompanying service changes increase pressure on lawmakers. Industry groups and some lawmakers framed the suspension as an avoidable consequence of stalled negotiations, while administration officials framed the cuts as necessary responses to funding limits. Either framing increases political stakes for both sides and could affect bargaining dynamics in Congress.
Economically, prolonged disruption to border processing risks ripple effects: delayed cargo inspections, missed connections affecting tourism and business travel, and additional costs for airlines and airports managing irregular operations during storms and staffing shortfalls. If the suspension extends, businesses that rely on predictable cross-border travel could face operational and financial strain.
Comparison & Data
| Measure | Typical Range (Industry Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Standard customs processing time | 30–90 minutes |
| Global Entry processing time | 5–10 minutes |
| TSA PreCheck membership (DHS, 2024) | 20+ million people |
| Projected cancellations (Monday, East Coast) | ~90% at JFK/LaGuardia/Boston Logan |
The table synthesizes industry estimates and DHS reporting. It highlights how much faster Global Entry typically can move passengers through customs and why removing that option can materially increase wait times and pressure at arrival halls, particularly when air service is already curtailed by weather.
Reactions & Quotes
Officials, industry groups and lawmakers reacted quickly. The U.S. Travel Association welcomed DHS’ decision to keep PreCheck running while urging a swift funding resolution to restore traveler services.
“We are glad that DHS has decided to keep PreCheck operational and avoid a crisis of its own making.”
Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association (industry group)
The airlines’ trade group criticized the short notice and urged Congress to resolve the funding impasse.
“It’s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done,”
Airlines for America (trade association)
Democratic lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Committee accused the administration of undercutting programs that make travel smoother. Senator Andy Kim characterized the move as politically motivated during an interview, saying the shutdown was being used in ways that made life harder for ordinary travelers.
“This administration is trying to weaponize our government, trying to make things intentionally more difficult for the American people as political leverage.”
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.)
Unconfirmed
- There is no definitive government dataset that states a single, precise average time saved by Global Entry across all ports of entry; most figures are industry estimates rather than official government tallies.
- Longer-term staffing impacts and whether additional TSA or CBP services might be paused if the shutdown persists remain uncertain until agencies reassess resources.
- Exact nationwide effects on cargo inspections and the full downstream economic impact of a prolonged Global Entry suspension are not yet quantified.
Bottom Line
The suspension of Global Entry underscores how a partial government shutdown can force trade-offs in services that travelers commonly rely on. By keeping TSA PreCheck operational, DHS aimed to preserve the security screening baseline while redirecting limited CBP resources to core border functions.
Travel disruption is likely to be uneven and will hinge on how long the shutdown continues and how agencies balance staffing needs with mission priorities. The convergence of the shutdown with a major winter storm magnified near-term pain for travelers, and unless Congress acts, the suspension could create lasting operational backlogs at major ports of entry.
Stakeholders — from airlines and travel groups to lawmakers — will press for a quick resolution. For travelers, the practical takeaway is to expect longer processing times for international arrivals until Global Entry is restored and to monitor official TSA and airline updates closely.