POLITICS

DHS Temporarily Suspends PreCheck, Global Entry Amid Shutdown

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Washington — The Department of Homeland Security announced this week that it will suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry starting Sunday as part of emergency measures during a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14. DHS said it will redirect staff to prioritize the general traveling public, halt enrollments and renewals, and pause expedited services. The Transportation Security Administration subsequently said PreCheck would remain operational while evaluating staffing case-by-case. Airports including Denver International and Chicago O'Hare reported varied effects as the suspension rollout unfolded this weekend. Lawmakers and officials publicly disputed the move. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Feb. 14 — Partial government shutdown begins after Congress fails to fund DHS.
This week — DHS announces suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to conserve resources.
Set start — DHS cited a start time of 6 a.m. ET Sunday for suspension measures.
Early Sunday — Some airports (e.g., Chicago O'Hare) still operated PreCheck lanes; effects varied.
Sunday — TSA clarified PreCheck would remain operational and would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a frequent flyer, this could affect your travel plans. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry speed up security checks. With them suspended, expect longer lines and wait times. Check your airport's status before you head out.

The Bottom Line

This suspension is a temporary measure due to the government shutdown. It's causing some confusion and delays, but PreCheck is still operational in some places. Worth forwarding if you know someone traveling soon.