What Happened to 2026 DHS Shutdown Impact on Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?
In February 2026, a partial U.S. government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led to the temporary suspension of the Global Entry program and operational disruptions for TSA PreCheck. While TSA PreCheck was quickly reinstated after public outcry, Global Entry remained paused for 17 days, causing significant delays for international travelers. Global Entry was fully restored on March 11, 2026, though staffing shortages from the ongoing shutdown continue to affect standard airport security lines.
Quick Answer
In February 2026, a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led to the suspension of Global Entry and a brief, threatened suspension of TSA PreCheck. While TSA PreCheck was quickly declared operational again, Global Entry remained paused for 17 days, causing considerable inconvenience for international travelers. As of March 11, 2026, Global Entry has been fully restored, but ongoing DHS funding issues may still lead to longer standard security lines due to staffing shortages.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Surge in TSA PreCheck Complaints and Global Entry Revocations
Complaints about TSA PreCheck surged due to enrollment issues, delayed approvals, and renewal waits. Concurrently, Global Entry revocations jumped by 47% in 2024, with many members not receiving clear reasons for the revocation.
Global Technology Outage Affects CBP Systems
A global technology outage, attributed to a Crowdstrike software update, caused processing delays for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) systems, including those related to Global Entry, leading to longer wait times at ports of entry.
Partial DHS Government Shutdown Begins
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a partial government shutdown after Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding, primarily due to an impasse over new immigration enforcement restrictions.
DHS Announces Suspension of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs would be suspended starting 6 a.m. ET to conserve limited funds and reallocate personnel during the ongoing partial government shutdown.
TSA PreCheck Reinstated After Public Outcry; Global Entry Remains Paused
Following swift criticism from the public and industry groups, DHS quickly reversed its decision on TSA PreCheck, confirming it would remain operational. However, Global Entry continued to be paused, with CBP officers reassigned.
U.S. Travel Association Condemns Global Entry Suspension
The U.S. Travel Association issued strong statements, calling the continued suspension of Global Entry a security risk and illogical, emphasizing that the program is primarily funded by user fees and enhances security.
Reports Confirm Global Entry Suspension Continues
BAL Immigration News and other outlets reported that Global Entry remained suspended, with CBP officers reassigned to handle general traveler processing, causing increased wait times for international arrivals.
Global Entry Still Suspended; Mobile Passport Control Recommended
Nearly two weeks into the suspension, VisaHQ reported that Global Entry kiosks were still inactive with no target restoration date, advising international travelers to use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app as an alternative.
Ongoing Disruptions Reported for Travelers
Reader's Digest reported that while TSA PreCheck remained operational, Global Entry was still paused nationwide, leading to substantially longer wait times for U.S. citizens and permanent residents arriving from international trips.
Hours-Long TSA Lines Emerge at Airports
Reports surfaced of hours-long TSA security lines at major U.S. airports, including Houston Hobby and Atlanta, as unpaid TSA officers called in sick due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, impacting spring break travel.
Global Entry Program Restored
After a 17-day suspension, the Trump administration announced that the Global Entry program was restored and fully operational as of 5 a.m. EDT, a decision welcomed by the travel industry.
Continued Staffing Shortages Affect Standard Security Lines
Despite Global Entry's restoration, standard security lines at some airports may still experience longer-than-usual wait times due to ongoing TSA staffing shortages stemming from the unresolved partial DHS government shutdown.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
In February 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) experienced a partial government shutdown, triggered by a congressional impasse over funding, particularly concerning new immigration enforcement restrictions. On February 22, 2026, then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the suspension of both the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, citing the need to "preserve limited funds" and reallocate personnel to prioritize the general traveling population.
The announcement sparked immediate and widespread criticism from industry groups and travelers. Within hours of the initial declaration, DHS reversed its decision regarding TSA PreCheck, stating that it would remain operational, though acknowledging that staffing issues might lead to localized suspensions or delays. However, the Global Entry program, which expedites customs processing for pre-approved international travelers, remained suspended.
The suspension of Global Entry, which is largely funded by user fees, was met with strong opposition from organizations like the U.S. Travel Association, which argued that the move was illogical, a threat to national security, and would exacerbate rather than alleviate operational burdens. During the 17-day pause, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers typically assigned to Global Entry kiosks were reassigned to standard processing lanes, leading to significantly longer wait times for international arrivals.
Compounding the travel disruptions, the ongoing partial DHS shutdown also led to staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Unpaid TSA officers began calling in sick, resulting in hours-long security lines at several major U.S. airports, particularly during the busy spring break season in early March 2026. This created a chaotic environment for travelers, with some missing flights.
On March 11, 2026, the Trump administration announced the restoration of the Global Entry program, effective 5 a.m. EDT. This decision was welcomed by the travel industry, which had consistently advocated for its reinstatement. As of today, March 11, 2026, Global Entry is fully operational. TSA PreCheck also remains operational, but travelers are still advised to arrive early for flights, especially during peak times, as the underlying DHS partial shutdown and its impact on staffing continue to pose challenges for standard security checkpoints.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if 2026 DHS Shutdown Impact on Global Entry and TSA PreCheck made different choices?