The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Sunday, February 22nd, that the TSA PreCheck program will continue to operate, but the status of another airport security program, Global Entry, is still unknown.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously announced the suspension of services related to the expedited security programs PreCheck and Global Entry during a partial government shutdown.
During the shutdown, DHS stated that PreCheck would be temporarily suspended at 6 a.m. Eastern Time, causing concerns among travel agencies and airlines as the busy spring break travel season looms. Currently, over 20 million people are registered with TSA PreCheck, which helps manage airport passenger flow.
TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler program introduced by the TSA to expedite the security process for low-risk travelers at airports. Approved travelers can enjoy expedited screening without removing shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, or liquids.
The Department of Homeland Security previously mentioned that the suspension of these programs was due to the recent government shutdown. Earlier this month, due to the inability of the Republican and Democratic parties in Congress to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reform, the Department of Homeland Security began a partial shutdown.
Around 10 a.m. on Sunday, the TSA stated that TSA PreCheck “will continue to operate without causing any impact to passengers. If there is a shortage of staff, TSA will assess and adjust operations on a case-by-case basis.”
TSA’s PreCheck program allows approved travelers to use dedicated expedited security lanes at U.S. airports to shorten wait times and simplify the security process. TSA mentioned that they will suspend courtesy escort services provided to passengers, such as those for members of Congress.
It is currently unclear whether TSA will still suspend the Global Entry program. Global Entry aims to expedite customs clearance for approved low-risk international travelers entering the U.S. The status of Global Entry membership is valid for five years, and members can also receive TSA PreCheck for free.
Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler program managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide expedited entry services to low-risk international travelers who have been pre-approved through screening.
Christie Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, stated in a Saturday evening statement that “a government shutdown will have serious real-world consequences.”
The TSA mentioned that a portion of travelers will definitely be affected.
Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, expressed deep concerns about the suspension of the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs in a statement following the announcement. He emphasized the urgency of the announcement, leaving passengers little time to make necessary arrangements, which is especially concerning during record-breaking air travel times.
On Thursday, due to the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, the Trump administration ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a component of the DHS, to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster areas.