Travelers across the United States awoke Sunday morning to a new reality at airports and border crossings: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, effective February 22, 2026, at 6 a.m. Eastern Time. The abrupt move, a direct result of a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, has sent ripples of frustration and uncertainty through the millions of Americans and international visitors who rely on these expedited security and customs services to make their journeys smoother.
The decision, confirmed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, marks the first time these trusted traveler programs—cornerstones of airport efficiency—have been shut down nationwide due to a lapse in government funding. "Shutdowns have serious 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," Noem declared in a statement cited by CNN and The Associated Press. She explained that TSA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) "are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts."
The programs in question, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, are not just conveniences; they are lifelines for frequent travelers. TSA PreCheck allows vetted passengers—more than 20 million strong as of 2024, according to CBS News—to move through security checkpoints with less hassle, skipping the usual lines and keeping shoes and belts on. Global Entry, with over 12 million enrollees, offers similar expedited customs processing for international arrivals, open not only to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents but also to citizens of nearly two dozen other countries. Together, these programs serve more than 40 million vetted airline passengers, as reported by CNN.
The suspension comes as the partial government shutdown, now entering its second week, shows no sign of resolution. The deadlock began when Democrats and the White House failed to agree on legislation to fund DHS, with Democrats demanding new restrictions on immigration operations in the wake of two fatal shootings by federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis earlier this year. Republicans, meanwhile, have resisted these changes, pushing instead for stricter enforcement against so-called sanctuary cities. Congress is in recess until February 23, further prolonging the uncertainty, according to FOX 11.
What does this mean for travelers? For one, TSA PreCheck lanes at airports are now closed, forcing all passengers—including those who paid between $76.75 and $85 for a five-year PreCheck membership—into standard security lines. The result is expected to be longer wait times, more crowded checkpoints, and, inevitably, more missed or delayed flights. As the TSA itself warned, "Higher call-outs can result in longer wait times at checkpoints, leading to missed or delayed flights, which has a cascading negative impact on the American economy."
International travelers returning to the U.S. will also feel the pinch. While most Global Entry processing is automated, the suspension of special privilege processing could mean increased congestion at customs and passport control, particularly at busy airports and border crossings. The Washington Post first reported that the shutdown would effectively dismantle the expedited lanes and kiosks that millions have come to rely on, and CNN noted that this is the first known nationwide suspension of these programs during a government shutdown.
The impact isn’t limited to travelers. The shutdown directly affects approximately 13% of the total federal civilian workforce, including agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, as detailed by CBS News. Essential personnel—about 95% of TSA employees, or roughly 63,000 agents—are still required to work without pay, a situation that breeds frustration and, over time, leads to increased employee absences. During the record 43-day government shutdown that ended in November, TSA employees were forced to work without pay, only receiving backpay after the shutdown concluded.
FEMA, meanwhile, is halting all non-disaster related responses to focus on emergencies, a move prompted by a powerful winter storm forecast to batter the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States this weekend. Secretary Noem emphasized the urgency: "This is particularly important given this weekend another significant winter storm is forecast to impact the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States."
The political fallout from the suspension has been swift and fierce. Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security have lambasted the decision, accusing the administration of "kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure" and "ruining your travel on purpose," as reported by multiple outlets including the Associated Press and FOX 11. Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, ranking member of the Committee, was especially blunt in his criticism, telling CBS News, "These nitwits are at it again," and accusing President Trump and Secretary Noem of "purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games." He added, "TSA PreCheck and Global Entry REDUCE airport lines and ease the burden on DHS staff who are working without pay because of Trump's abuse of the Department and killing of American citizens."
On the other side, Secretary Noem and DHS officials argue that the suspension is an unfortunate but necessary step to keep the broader traveling public moving and to manage limited resources during the funding crisis. "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," Noem said, as quoted in CNN and The Washington Post.
The shutdown’s roots lie in deep divisions over immigration enforcement. Democrats have pressed for more oversight and restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CBP, especially after the recent fatalities in Minneapolis during a federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Republicans, for their part, have resisted these changes, citing the need for strong border security and enforcement of existing laws. ICE and CBP personnel continue their paid work, funded by prior appropriations, but the rest of DHS is caught in the crossfire.
As travelers brace for longer lines and more headaches, the broader implications for national security and the economy remain uncertain. The cascading effects of delayed flights, missed connections, and lost productivity could ripple far beyond airport terminals. And with Congress still on recess and no funding agreement in sight, there’s little relief on the immediate horizon.
For now, the millions who have invested in trusted traveler programs—and the tens of thousands of DHS employees working without pay—are left waiting, watching, and hoping for a resolution that will restore order to America’s airports and borders.