The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Suspends Fast-Track Clearance Programs; Long Security Lines Feared | WPN World People News

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has entered a partial shutdown due to a government budget impasse. As a result, its Trusted Traveler Programs — PreCheck and Global Entry — were suspended starting at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the 22nd. Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reforms, leading to a lapse in funding.

Chris Sununu, president and CEO of Airlines for America, criticized the government for abruptly announcing the shutdown during peak travel season, saying travelers were given “virtually no time to adjust” and had once again become victims of political brinkmanship.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would prioritize processing general passenger traffic, suspending special privileges and escort services. She emphasized that the move was a difficult decision made under limited staffing and resource constraints.

According to The Washington Post, the suspension of the programs was one of several emergency measures DHS adopted to reallocate personnel. The TSA noted that PreCheck has more than 20 million active members. Including Global Entry and other programs, the total number of trusted travelers has surpassed 40 million.

Following the announcement, airports including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) quickly experienced chaos, with expedited lanes closed and long lines forming at security checkpoints. The TSA later clarified that operations would be adjusted on a “case-by-case” basis depending on staffing levels.

The travel industry welcomed the restoration of PreCheck but criticized the government’s handling of the situation. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, pointed out that PreCheck is funded by user fees and should not have been suspended in the first place, adding that a “self-inflicted crisis” was narrowly avoided. However, Global Entry remains suspended during the shutdown, raising concerns within the airline industry about further damage to passenger experience and financial losses.