The Global Entry travel program was restoredannounced the administration of President Donald J. Trump, after having been suspended in February amid the partial closure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A DHS spokesperson reported that Global Entry was reactivated early Wednesday morning.
Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the US Travel Association, said the organization welcomed the decision to resume the program.
“Over the past two weeks, the travel industry has been clear about the role programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck play in both security and efficiency,” Freeman said.
“Through representations to members of Congress and administration officials, collaboration across the tourism sector, and strong public mobilization, we have exposed a simple reality: Trusted Traveler Programs strengthen security while streamlining travel.”
DHS announced in February that both Global Entry and the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program would be suspended in the context of the partial shutdown.
Democrats are determined to create chaos
DHS quickly reversed its decision regarding PreCheck and resumed service. US Customs and Border Protection agents who are usually in charge of processing Global Entry travelers were reassigned to handle other travelers arriving in the country, according to CBS News.
TSA PreCheck is a membership program that allows travelers to undergo a faster security process after submitting an application, passing a background check and paying a fee.
Only US citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible. Until 2024, the program had more than 20 million registered. Global Entry is a similar program, designed for international travel and available to citizens of the US and nearly two dozen other countries. Neither program was suspended during the historic 43-day shutdown in 2025.
The partial shutdown has been in effect since February 14, after Democrats en masse refused to approve DHS funding and used it as blackmail to demand absurd changes to the ICE Immigration Department.
The closure affects the TSA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Coast Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and other entities within DHS. About 13% of the total federal civilian workforce, about 100,000 employees, remain unpaid.
