Homeland Security decides America needs to suffer to balance government shutdown, but common sense managed to squeeze in

Talk about a rollercoaster for travelers! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially announced a temporary suspension of TSA’s popular PreCheck and Global Entry programs only to walk back that decision just hours later, leaving millions of frequent flyers in a state of confusion, per CNN. This whole situation unfolded as a partial government shutdown continues to impact the agency.

According to Reuters, the initial announcement from DHS stated that the halt to these programs would begin at 6 AM ET on Sunday. This move was directly linked to the ongoing partial shutdown, which began last week after Republicans and Democrats in Congress couldn’t agree on immigration enforcement reforms. 

For those who rely on them, PreCheck and Global Entry are absolute lifesavers. PreCheck, with over 20 million active members, lets approved passengers zip through a dedicated, faster security lane at U.S. airports. Global Entry, on the other hand, speeds up U.S. customs and immigration clearance for pre-approved, low-risk international travelers coming into the United States. It’s got more than 12 million members. 

These services are actually paid for by membership fees

Industry leaders were quick to voice their frustration about the initial suspension. Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, said that “the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown.” He pointed out that the news came with “extremely short notice to travelers,” giving them hardly any time to adjust their plans. 

Sununu also highlighted the financial hit, noting that a similar shutdown last fall cost the travel industry and related sectors a staggering $6.1 billion. Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee also slammed the move on social media, accusing DHS leadership of “punishing travelers” and “ruining your travel on purpose.” 

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the initial decision, calling them “tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage.” She emphasized that the TSA and CBP were prioritizing “the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry” requiring the suspension of “courtesy and special privilege escorts.” 

Noem stated, “Shutdowns have serious real-world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security.” It was an obvious dig, but the situation changed quickly. 

By Sunday morning, the 22nd, DHS had reversed its stance on PreCheck. A TSA spokesperson said the agency “will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations.” The status of Global Entry remained a bit unclear, with no immediate confirmation from CBP.

It’s worth noting that while previous government shutdowns have caused disruptions like longer airport lines and temporary checkpoint closures, PreCheck lanes and Global Entry kiosks typically remained open. Outside of travel, President Trump’s administration has ordered another DHS component, the already struggling Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to suspend the deployment of aid workers to disaster-affected areas. 

Unfortunately, it looks like the administration is trying to leverage the citizens to end the shutdown.