UPDATE: The Transportation Security Administration now says that PreCheck airport security lanes are operating normally. The statement came just hours after the Department of Homeland Security said the service was being suspended.
It is still important to be aware that delays could happen depending on your airport.
Travelers heading to the airport may want to brace for longer security lines this week. The Department of Homeland Security has announced it is temporarily suspending TSA PreCheck and Global Entry due to a lapse in government funding.
According to DHS, both expedited screening programs are expected to be paused beginning at 6 a.m. Eastern on Sunday. In a statement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency is shifting its focus to the broader traveling public, adding that TSA and Customs and Border Protection are suspending “courtesy and special privilege escorts” while resources are redirected.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are popular programs that allow pre-vetted travelers to move through airport security and customs more quickly. With those services on hold, travelers should expect standard security procedures and potentially longer wait times at airports across the country.
This move is unusual. During previous government shutdowns, including last year’s, both programs remained operational. Their suspension comes at an especially challenging time, as a major winter storm has already led to more than 5,000 flight cancellations nationwide, with ripple effects expected as operations resume. On top of that, the decision arrives just weeks before the busy spring break travel season begins.
DHS confirmed that staff normally assigned to these expedited programs will be reassigned to assist with general airport and border operations. Meanwhile, Noem also announced that Federal Emergency Management Agency will halt all non-disaster-related work to prioritize active emergency responses connected to the storm.
The decision has drawn criticism from Capitol Hill. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, sharply criticized the suspension, raising concerns about its impact on travelers and airport operations.
For travelers, the takeaway is simple: plan extra time at the airport, expect longer lines, and keep an eye on updates as the funding situation continues to unfold.
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