U.S. Government Shutdown Forces Suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Programs, Sparking Travel Chaos
By: Juba Global News Network | Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
February 22, 2026 – In a move that has frustrated millions of frequent flyers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended the popular TSA PreCheck and Global Entry trusted-traveler programs as a partial government shutdown enters its second week. The decision, effective starting 6 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 22, redirects limited resources to general passenger screening and border processing, leaving enrolled members to join standard security lines and longer wait times at airports nationwide.
The partial shutdown, which began on February 14 after Congress failed to pass funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security, stems from a bitter partisan standoff primarily over immigration enforcement policies. Democrats in Congress have blocked funding bills, citing demands for reforms following high-profile incidents, while the Trump administration and DHS leadership have accused opponents of endangering national security through repeated funding lapses—this marking the third such shutdown affecting DHS during the 119th Congress.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a pointed statement blaming Democrats for the impasse: “This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress. Shutdowns have serious real-world consequences.” She emphasized that TSA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are “prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts” to conserve manpower and maintain core security operations.
As a result of the funding lapse:
- TSA PreCheck lanes have been closed or redirected. Millions of enrolled members—paying $78 for five years of expedited screening with keep-on shoes, laptops in bags, and limited pat-downs—are now funneled into regular security checkpoints. TSA officials have warned that prolonged constraints could lead to longer lines, delays, and potential flight disruptions, especially amid a major East Coast blizzard forecast that is already straining air travel.
- Global Entry processing at participating airports has been halted for arrivals. The program, which costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs clearance for international travelers, is no longer available at U.S. ports of entry. Travelers returning from abroad may face extended waits at immigration kiosks or manual processing lines.
The suspension is part of broader emergency measures announced by DHS to stretch limited resources during the shutdown. Other impacts include scaled-back FEMA responses to non-disaster areas and potential furloughs of non-essential personnel. While essential security functions continue, the cuts to “courtesy” programs like PreCheck have drawn sharp criticism from travelers, airlines, and travel industry groups who argue the move disproportionately punishes law-abiding, pre-vetted citizens.
Travel experts and frequent flyers expressed immediate frustration on social media and in statements. Many noted the irony of the timing: with a nor’easter bearing down on the Northeast and heavy holiday-related travel volumes, airports were already bracing for chaos. At major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, some reports indicated PreCheck lanes remained operational in the early hours due to implementation delays or case-by-case adjustments, but most airports shifted enrollees to general lines by mid-morning.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has advised travelers to arrive earlier than usual and check airport-specific updates via the MyTSA app or website. “A prolonged funding lapse could lead to disruptions for travelers, including delays, longer wait times, and cancelled flights,” a TSA official stated earlier in the shutdown.
Critics, including some Democratic lawmakers, have accused the administration of using the shutdown to pressure Congress, with one calling it “purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for political games.” Supporters of the DHS stance maintain that without full funding, tough choices are inevitable to protect core missions like border security and aviation safety.
As negotiations in Washington remain deadlocked, the suspension could last days or weeks, depending on when—or if—lawmakers reach a compromise funding deal. For now, millions of PreCheck and Global Entry members face a return to the pre-2013 era of full-body scans, shoe removal, and laptop extractions, turning what was once a convenience into a major headache amid winter weather woes.
Travelers are urged to monitor official TSA and CBP channels for updates, plan extra time at security, and consider alternative routes if possible. The shutdown’s ripple effects continue to underscore the fragility of government operations when political gridlock halts funding.
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