TSA PreCheck Suspended Nationwide
The Department of Homeland Security has suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs due to a partial government shutdown. Travelers should expect longer wait times for both domestic and international departures and arrive earlier than usual for traditional security procedures.
- This is the first time TSA PreCheck and Global Entry have been suspended nationwide due to a government shutdown; during previous shutdowns, the expedited lanes remained open, though new enrollments were sometimes halted. - The suspension impacts over 32 million travelers enrolled in these programs, with more than 20 million in TSA PreCheck and over 12 million in Global Entry as of 2024. - The partial shutdown began on February 14, 2026, and only affects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stemming from a congressional dispute over funding related to immigration enforcement policies. - According to the DHS, the suspension is an emergency measure to redirect staff to standard security lines to handle the general traveling population amid the funding lapse. - While the programs are partially funded by application fees ($78 for a five-year PreCheck membership and $120 for Global Entry), their operation is tied to the broader DHS budget and staffing. - Approximately 95% of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are considered "essential" and are required to work without pay until the shutdown ends. - During the 43-day shutdown in the fall of 2025, the rate of unscheduled absences for TSA officers nearly doubled, leading to longer lines and the consolidation of security checkpoints at some airports. - The restoration of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry services is contingent on a new funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security; officials have not provided a specific timeline for when the programs will resume.
