DHS Reverses PreCheck Suspension After Shutdown Announcement
DHS announced suspension of PreCheck and Global Entry effective Feb. 22 at 6:00 a.m. ET, then TSA said PreCheck remained operational; PreCheck had more than 20 million members as of 2024.
Overview
DHS announced it would suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry effective Feb. 22 at 6:00 a.m. ET, and TSA later said PreCheck remained operational.
The moves followed a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House failed to reach a DHS funding deal.
Airline industry leaders and the U.S. Travel Association said the short-notice suspension would cause chaos, and consumers and industry groups welcomed DHS's reversal, officials and statements said.
TSA PreCheck had more than 20 million members as of 2024, and Global Entry had about 12–13 million members, covering more than 40 million pre-screened travelers, officials said.
TSA said it will evaluate operations case by case as staffing constraints arise, and DHS said lanes would reopen once funding is restored.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the coverage as chaotic and politically driven by emphasizing conflicting agency statements and critics' reactions. Editorial choices highlight DHS's abrupt reversal and use terms like "abruptly reversed" and "confusion," foregrounding outspoken critic quotes (e.g., Rep. Thompson, U.S. Travel) while giving DHS rationales less prominence, implying mismanagement.
Sources (28)
FAQ
DHS announced the suspension due to a partial government shutdown starting February 14, caused by failure to reach a funding deal between Democrats and the White House, to redirect personnel to the general traveling public amid staffing constraints.
TSA stated that PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public, evaluating operations case by case as staffing constraints arise during the shutdown.[1]
The shutdown began on February 14 after Democrats and the White House failed to agree on DHS funding, with Democrats demanding changes to immigration operations amid opposition to President Trump's deportation policies.
TSA PreCheck has more than 20 million members as of 2024, and Global Entry has about 12-13 million members, covering over 40 million pre-screened travelers.[query]
Courtesy escorts for members of Congress were suspended to redirect resources, and DHS prioritized general travelers at airports and ports; lanes will reopen once funding is restored.
History
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