POLITICS

DHS Temporarily Suspends PreCheck, Global Entry Amid Shutdown

PUBLISHED Feb 22, 2026, 1:01 AM ET

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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.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

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.

News Intelligence

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.

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Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 11

Who Benefited

The general traveling public benefited in the short term because DHS redirected personnel toward standard security lanes, potentially reducing the impact of staff shortages on non-expedited travelers compared with a full operational collapse.

Who Impacted

Enrolled TSA PreCheck and Global Entry members, plus travelers seeking expedited screening and those awaiting enrollments or renewals, suffered delays, halted services, and uncertainty due to paused enrollments and uneven implementation across airports.

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