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The US Department of Homeland Security has suspended the TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry programs as a partial government shutdown continues. This move could significantly impact travelers across the country (including yours truly who has to fly tomorrow).
The suspension comes after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which triggered the shutdown on February 14th. Negotiations between Democrats and the White House broke down over immigration policy disputes (particularly over proposed changes to enforcement operations central to President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda).
TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry are widely used trusted traveler programs designed to expedite airport screening for pre-approved passengers. TSA PreCheck® allows travelers to move through dedicated security lanes without removing shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, or compliant liquids. Global Entry provides expedited customs processing for international arrivals and includes access to TSA PreCheck® benefits for eligible members.
The suspension of these programs could result in longer wait times at airport security checkpoints and customs lines (especially at major hubs that rely heavily on trusted traveler lanes to manage passenger flow). Frequent flyers, business travelers, and international passengers are expected to feel the impact most acutely.
While standard security operations remain in place, the pause in TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry enrollment and program processing may create operational challenges. Travelers accustomed to faster screening could face delays as all passengers are routed through regular security procedures.
Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security have criticized the decision to suspend the programs and argued that it creates unnecessary disruptions for travelers while broader budget negotiations remain unresolved. The shutdown stems from disagreements over funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats have sought changes to immigration enforcement policies while the administration has pushed to maintain operations tied to its deportation initiatives.
Anthony’s Take: Until a funding agreement is reached, uncertainty remains over how long the suspension of TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry will last. This will leave millions of enrolled travelers facing potentially longer waits at airports nationwide. To put it bluntly, it’s going to suck.
(Image Credits: TSA.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
