The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has restored the Global Entry program after suspending it for more than two weeks during the partial government shutdown. Global Entry, which requires an application, background check and fee, enables low-risk travelers to move through customs faster when entering the United States.
Officials confirmed the service resumed at 5 a.m. ET on Wednesday, allowing pre-approved travelers arriving from international destinations to once again use the program’s expedited airport kiosks. “We are working hard to alleviate the disruptions to travelers caused by the Democrats’ shutdown,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement announcing the restart. The reopening of Global Entry lanes is expected to speed up international arrivals, though it is unlikely to significantly reduce congestion at standard TSA security checkpoints.
Industry leaders welcomed the decision. Geoff Freeman, head of the U.S. Travel Association, said programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck play an important role in keeping airports both secure and efficient. “Over the last two weeks, the travel industry has been clear about the role programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck play in both security and efficiency,” Freeman said.
The program was paused in late February as the shutdown forced the agency to redirect U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who normally process Global Entry arrivals to assist with standard passenger screening. The suspension came shortly after the government funding lapse began on Feb. 14, when lawmakers and the White House failed to agree on legislation to finance DHS operations.
TSA PreCheck, which offers faster security screening for enrolled travelers, was briefly slated for suspension as well but resumed almost immediately after the announcement. As of 2024, the program had more than 20 million participants.
Despite the Global Entry restart, travel disruptions tied to the shutdown remain a concern. The funding dispute has affected several DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Coast Guard and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
At airports across the country, staffing shortages and employee callouts—linked to workers going without pay during the shutdown—have led to significantly longer security lines in recent days. Travelers have been advised to arrive up to three hours before departure as the busy spring travel season approaches.
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