The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Mar. 11 the reopening of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Global Entry travel program, following its temporary pause in February amid the federal agency’s shutdown over funding.
"We are working hard to alleviate the disruptions to travelers caused by the Democrats' shutdown," a DHS spokesperson stated, confirming that the service was reactivated on Wednesday at 5 A.M EST.
DHS previously announced in February that Global Entry and the TSA’s PreCheck program would both be suspended following the partial government shutdown. DHS defended its position, affirming that it served to conserve its staff and resources as it faced its funding lapse.
Soon after its original statement, DHS quickly walked back on its decision, reinstating the PreCheck program, reassigning U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel normally appointed to process Global Entry travelers to instead process other arriving travelers.
"Today’s step is an important one, but Congress must also act to support the Transportation Security Officers who keep our aviation system functioning. These essential employees continue to report to work without pay during the partial government shutdown, and they deserve to be compensated without delay," U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a press release commending DHS’s decision to reopen Global Entry. "Over the last two weeks, the travel industry has been clear about the role programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck play in both security and efficiency."
Since the agency’s shutdown, which has been in effect since Feb. 14, more than 300 TSA employees have left the agency, with staff callouts among airport security officers having more than doubled as employees face work without pay.
The current DHS shutdown not only affects TSA officers, but the funding lapse is also affecting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, with an estimated 13% of the total federal civilian workforce being affected, according to CBS News.
