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US DHS to pause TSA PreCheck and Global Entry as shutdown continues, Washington Post reports
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US DHS to pause TSA PreCheck and Global Entry as shutdown continues, Washington Post reports

#TSA PreCheck #Global Entry #DHS #Government Shutdown #Airport Security #Travel Disruption #Funding Impasse #Expedited Screening

📌 Key Takeaways

  • DHS suspending TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs
  • Suspension due to ongoing partial government shutdown
  • Millions of travelers will lose expedited screening privileges
  • No timeline provided for reinstatement of programs
  • Travel industry groups express concern about impact

📖 Full Retelling

U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on February 21, 2025, that it will suspend the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck and Global Entry programs due to the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting much of the agency, as reported by the Washington Post. The suspension affects two of the most popular expedited screening programs that allow millions of travelers to navigate airport security lines more quickly, with PreCheck providing faster domestic screening and Global Entry offering expedited customs processing for international travelers. According to a DHS spokesperson cited in the report, the programs cannot continue without proper funding and staffing during the shutdown, which has now entered its 35th day. The suspension comes as the partial government shutdown continues to impact various federal services, with DHS being one of the agencies most affected by the funding lapse. Travelers currently enrolled in these programs will lose their privileges, creating significant disruptions for frequent flyers, business travelers, and international visitors who have come to rely on these expedited screening processes. The programs, which require extensive background checks and interviews to enroll, have been praised for enhancing security while improving the travel experience. Industry experts estimate that the suspension could affect over 15 million travelers who currently participate in these programs, potentially leading to longer lines at airports across the country. The announcement has drawn criticism from travel industry groups who warn that the suspension will not only inconvenience travelers but also harm the tourism sector by making international travel less attractive. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern about the impact on travelers, though partisan disagreements continue to block a resolution to the funding impasse. The DHS spokesperson indicated that the programs would be reinstated as soon as the government is fully funded, but provided no specific timeline for when that might occur. Meanwhile, travelers are advised to check the official TSA and CBP websites for updates and to prepare for standard screening procedures during the suspension period.

🏷️ Themes

Government Shutdown, Travel Security, Federal Programs

📚 Related People & Topics

United States Department of Homeland Security

United States Department of Homeland Security

United States federal executive department

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior, home, or public security ministries in other countries. Its missions involve anti-terrorism, civil defense, immigration and customs, b...

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TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck

US trusted traveller program

TSA PreCheck (branded as TSA Pre✓) is a trusted traveler program initiated in December 2013 and administered by the United States Transportation Security Administration that allows selected members of select frequent flyer programs, members of Global Entry, Free and Secure Trade, NEXUS, and SENTRI, ...

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Government shutdown

Cessation of government functions due to failure to fund

A government shutdown occurs when the legislative branch does not pass key bills which fund or authorize the operations of the executive branch, resulting in the cessation of some or all operations of a government. Government shutdowns can reduce public trust in politics. In presidential systems, th...

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Global Entry

Global Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection program

Global Entry is a program of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports and via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes by land and sea. As of 2024, Glob...

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Airport security

Airport security

Measures to prevent crime at an airport

Airport security includes the techniques and methods used in an attempt to protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats. Aviation security is a combination of measures and human and material resources in order to safeguard civil a...

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for United States Department of Homeland Security:

🌐 TSA PreCheck 3 shared
👤 Global Entry 3 shared
🌐 Government shutdown 2 shared
🌐 Presidency of Donald Trump 2 shared
👤 Kristi Noem 1 shared
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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This suspension directly impacts the travel experience for millions of enrolled travelers, causing longer security wait times at airports and border crossings. It also highlights how the government shutdown is affecting essential security and travel facilitation services beyond just non-essential functions.

Context & Background

  • TSA PreCheck allows pre-screened travelers expedited security screening at US airports.
  • Global Entry provides expedited customs clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the US.
  • These programs are operated by agencies within the Department of Homeland Security.
  • A lapse in government funding has caused a partial shutdown of federal agencies.

What Happens Next

The programs will remain suspended for the duration of the government shutdown. Once funding is restored, DHS will need to resume operations and process the backlog of applications and renewals that accumulated during the pause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?

TSA PreCheck is for faster airport security screening. Global Entry is for faster processing when returning to the US from abroad.

Will my existing PreCheck or Global Entry membership be extended?

It is unclear if members will receive compensation for the lost time during the suspension.

Can I still apply for these programs during the shutdown?

No, application processing is suspended along with the programs themselves.

Original Source
Feb 21 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will suspend the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck and Global Entry programs due to the shutdown of much of the agency, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing a DHS spokesperson.
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Source

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