Impact of Government Shutdown on Travel Programs
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Global Entry program would be temporarily shut down as long as the partial government shutdown continues. This decision came after earlier plans to also close the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program were later reversed. The agency stated that staffing constraints will lead to case-by-case evaluations of operations, with adjustments made as necessary.
This disruption in security and customs services is linked to a government shutdown that began on February 14. The shutdown occurred due to a lack of agreement between Democrats and the White House on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats have been pushing for changes to immigration policies that are central to President Donald Trump’s deportation initiatives.
Adding to the challenges, a major winter storm is expected to hit the East Coast from Sunday into Monday. This has already led to the cancellation of nine out of ten flights departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Boston Logan Airport for Monday.
Understanding the Global Entry Program
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program designed to expedite entry for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving from abroad. While there is no specific data on how much time passengers save, travel experts estimate that Global Entry can reduce customs wait times from an average of 30 to 90 minutes to just 5 to 10 minutes.
Participants in Global Entry also receive TSA PreCheck benefits. In 2024, more than 20 million Americans had TSA PreCheck, with millions of those individuals also holding Global Entry memberships.
Despite the shutdown, airport lines remained largely unaffected through midday Sunday. According to the TSA’s mobile app, security check line wait times were under 15 minutes at most international airports.
Traveler Experiences and Reactions
Blair Perkins, 39, from Dallas, was aware of the Global Entry shutdown before she returned home from Cancun on Sunday morning. Upon arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, she found the regular line long but moving relatively quickly. She noted that it usually takes less than five minutes to get through customs with Global Entry, but on Sunday, the process took about 30 minutes.
Perkins expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “It feels like Washington is using travelers as a pawn to try to, I guess, persuade the other side to do what they want.”
DHS had previously indicated that it was taking “emergency measures to preserve limited funds.” These steps included ending TSA PreCheck lanes and CBP Global Entry services to refocus personnel on the majority of travelers.
Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, welcomed the decision to keep PreCheck operational, stating, “We are glad that DHS has decided to keep PreCheck operational and avoid a crisis of its own making.”
Political and Industry Responses
Before announcing the PreCheck shutdown, Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the real-world consequences of government shutdowns. She also mentioned that courtesy escorts for members of Congress at airports would be removed during the shutdown.
Jean Fay, 54, experienced no issues going through TSA PreCheck at the Baltimore airport for her early morning flight back to Texas. She only became aware of the shutdown while changing planes in Austin, Texas.
Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers, criticized the announcement, calling it “issued with extremely short notice to travelers.” They urged Congress to resolve the funding issue, stating, “It’s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done.”
Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized the administration’s handling of airport security, accusing them of “kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure.”
Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, suggested that the administration’s actions were part of a strategy to distract from other issues and shift responsibility. He told CNN, “This administration is trying to weaponize our government, trying to make things intentionally more difficult for the American people as a political leverage.”
Ongoing Concerns and Calls for Resolution
As the government shutdown continues, travelers and industry leaders remain concerned about the impact on travel experiences and the broader implications of political gridlock. With the winter storm adding to the challenges, the need for a resolution becomes even more urgent.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between political priorities and the everyday lives of citizens, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective communication and action from all parties involved.
