DHS Suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry as Partial Government Shutdown Continues

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has temporarily suspended two of the nation’s most widely used trusted-traveler programs — TSA PreCheck and Global Entry — as a partial government shutdown affecting the department enters a critical phase.

In a statement addressing the decision, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are redirecting resources to prioritize standard airport and port-of-entry operations. As a result, expedited security screening lanes and fast-track customs processing associated with these programs will be unavailable.

Noem emphasized that the shutdown has tangible consequences beyond delayed services. “Shutdowns have serious real-world consequences,” she said, noting that thousands of DHS employees are working without pay while national security operations remain ongoing.

The suspension represents a significant escalation in the travel disruptions caused by the shutdown. TSA PreCheck allows preapproved, low-risk travelers to move through airport security without removing shoes, laptops, or belts. Global Entry provides expedited customs clearance for pre-screened travelers entering the United States, often through automated kiosks. Collectively, the programs serve more than 40 million vetted passengers.

The partial shutdown impacts only DHS and follows Congress’ failure to reach a funding agreement amid a broader dispute over immigration enforcement policy. Democratic lawmakers have advocated for additional restrictions on agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CBP following controversial enforcement incidents earlier this year. Republicans, meanwhile, have resisted those proposals and called for stricter measures targeting so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.

As negotiations remain stalled, approximately 63,000 TSA officers deemed essential personnel continue reporting to work without compensation. The suspension of trusted-traveler benefits is expected to increase wait times at airport checkpoints and international arrival halls nationwide.

Under the new directive, travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck will be required to use standard security lanes. The precise impact on Global Entry users remains somewhat unclear, as much of the process is automated; however, experts anticipate longer lines at passport control and customs inspection areas as staffing and operational adjustments take effect.

DHS officials indicated that the suspension will begin Sunday at 6 a.m. Eastern Time, though the department has not specified how long the changes will remain in place. Enrollment websites for TSA PreCheck providers appeared to continue accepting applications at the time of the announcement, raising questions about how new applicants will be processed during the shutdown.

TSA PreCheck memberships, which cost between $76.75 and $85 for five years, surpassed 20 million active members in 2024. Global Entry, priced at $120 for a five-year term, counts more than 12 million enrollees, including eligible international travelers from more than 20 partner countries.

Previous government shutdowns disrupted administrative functions and contributed to longer airport lines but did not result in a nationwide suspension of program benefits. During last year’s prolonged shutdown, staffing shortages led to temporary checkpoint closures and flight delays, yet PreCheck lanes and Global Entry kiosks remained operational.

If implemented as outlined, the current plan would mark the first time these expedited travel privileges have been formally halted on a national scale during a funding lapse, potentially reshaping airport operations until Congress resolves the impasse.