DHS suspends TSA PreCheck, Global Entry programs amid government shut down

The Department of Homeland Security has suspended two frequent flier security programs amid the government shutdown. This is the second shut down in 6 months. Those inlude the Global Entry program and TSA PreCheck. Both allow travelers to bypass long security lines after submitting to background checks during which they are determined to not be a risk.

In a statement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said "This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “Shutdowns have real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security.

"The American people depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians. TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.

"FEMA will halt all non-disaster related response to prioritize disasters. This is particularly important given this weekend another significant winter storm is forecast to impact the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States.”

Those measures at the TSA include:

"As the Transportation Security Administration enters emergency operating status, resources are being consolidated to prioritize essential security operations and focus personnel on detecting and countering threats. Effective at 6:00 a.m. on February 22, nonessential privileges and courtesies provided by TSA will cease.

"As a result:

"TSA PreCheck® lanes will be closed. All TSA PreCheck® members will be directed to general screening lanes to maintain our security standards and consolidate TSA’s limited personnel and resources.

"All courtesy escorts, including for members of Congress, will cease. These escorts put increased strain on our officers, who must be allowed to prioritize their critical work of screening passengers.

"Operations at all airports will prioritize screening of the general traveling population. Without appropriations, TSA simply cannot afford to risk overstretching our staff and weakening our security posture. Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect a process that does not sacrifice security, but refocuses TSA officers to standard screening procedures. TSA PreCheck® and other services will resume upon Department of Homeland Security funding being signed into law."

For Customs and Border Protection, the measures are: "As of 6:00 am on February 22, 2026 U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations will halt all Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports.

"Officers assigned to process Global Entry travelers will be re-assigned to process all other arriving travelers.

"U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident Global Entry Members can proceed to the properly marked primary processing lanes for arriving U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. All other Global Entry members can proceed to the properly marked visitor lanes.

"CBP will also be suspending requests for port courtesies for members of Congress at all ports of entry to include escorts and tours in order for personnel to be reassigned to essential border security operations."

The current government shutdown occurred in February after Republicans and Democrats could not come to agreement on a budget. At issue are immigration policies and funding for DHS, which has been tasked with the Trump administration of deportations of illegal immigrants, which Democrats primarily oppose. About 750,000 are facing unpaid leave.