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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that it has restored the Global Entry trusted‑traveler program after a suspension that began in late February amid a partial government shutdown of the agency's funding operations.
“As DHS continually evaluates measures it can take amidst the Democrats’ continued shutdown of the department, DHS will be reactivating Global Entry on March 11th at 5:00 AM ET. We are working hard to alleviate the disruptions to travelers caused by the Democrats’ shutdown,” a spokesperson for the agency told CNN.
Global Entry is a trusted‑traveler program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows pre‑approved, low‑risk travelers, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, to use automated kiosks to speed up customs and immigration processing when entering the United States from abroad. Members of Global Entry are also eligible for TSA PreCheck, which provides expedited security screening at participating U.S. airports.
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Why It Matters
The program was suspended nationwide on February 22 after funding for DHS lapsed on February 14 when Congress failed to pass a spending bill, triggering a partial shutdown affecting CBP, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other DHS components. In response to limited staffing and resources, DHS announced at the time that it would halt Global Entry processing and redirect personnel to general traveler flows at airports. TSA PreCheck, another expedited screening program, was briefly flagged for suspension but was quickly restored after internal and public pushback.
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What To Know
The suspension had drawn criticism from travel industry groups and some lawmakers, who argued that closing a member‑funded program like Global Entry on purely budgetary grounds would slow airport processing and increase congestion, particularly during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The U.S. Travel Association said the program plays a key role in border security and operational efficiency, and its closure could strain other aspects of airport operations.
In 2025, the use of automated biometric technology reduced arrival wait times by 70 percent and saved officers more than 300,000 hours, the U.S. Travel Association said.
The ongoing partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, now in its fourth week, stems from legislative disagreements over funding and immigration policy. Key national security functions have continued, but many routine services were paused. DHS has faced scrutiny after a series of fatal shootings by federal immigration agents, leading Democrats in Congress to seek new guardrails and oversight measures for ICE and DHS personnel.
DHS is receiving a flurry of backlash over a series of fatal immigration enforcement operations that have left at least 3 U.S citizens dead. In January 2026, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot Renée Nicole Good during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, an incident that triggered protests.
A separate Minneapolis incident in late January resulted in the death of Alex Pretti, another U.S. citizen who was shot dead by Customs and Border Protection agents during an immigration enforcement operation.
In February, Newsweek revealed that an ICE agent shot and killed Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen, in South Padre Island, Texas, under circumstances that were not publicly acknowledged by the department for nearly a year.
What People Are Saying
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a press release: "Everyone knows Donald Trump and DHS use bullying tactics - this is another one of them. The Trump administration is choosing to inflict pain on the public instead of adopting common sense ICE reforms. In the 43-day historic Trump government shutdown DHS never changed the Global Entry program’s status. Democrats are fighting against this exact kind of abuse.”
The U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement: "Global Entry is far more than a convenience, it is on the front line of national security. Its more than 13 million members undergo rigorous background checks, interviews and vetting. Suspending it doesn't just slow lines. It increases costs and strips away a layer of security infrastructure that took years to build. We urge DHS to restore Global Entry immediately. A smarter, safer, more efficient entry process shouldn't be a casualty of a funding dispute. And nor should travelers be used as leverage to achieve a political outcome."
What Happens Next
For international travelers, the restoration of Global Entry means members can once again use dedicated kiosks and lanes to expedite customs processing upon arrival in the United States.
Update 3/11/26, 9:22 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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