NEW YORK − The Department of Homeland Security announced that it would suspend its TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs starting Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 a.m. ET as the partial government shutdown continues.
Adam Stahl, a senior official at the Transportation Security Administration, said in a statement on social media earlier in the shutdown that a prolonged funding lapse could lead to disruptions for travelers, “including delays, longer wait times and cancelled flights.”
Millions of travelers who paid for expedited screening and faster customs processing will soon find themselves back in the regular lines. DHS did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for details.
In a statement first reported by The Washington Post, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said TSA and Customs and Border Protection are “focusing on the general traveling public” and have suspended “courtesy and special privilege escorts.” She described the move as one of several “tough but necessary” decisions during the funding lapse.
Still, the news hadn’t apparently reached officers by early Sunday morning.
