The past week has been a rollercoaster for travelers — especially anyone relying on TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
What started as a funding lapse quickly turned into airport anxiety, political finger-pointing, and a surprise Sunday morning announcement that left millions wondering whether their expedited security perks had just vanished.
Here’s what’s gone down so far:
February 14, 2026: DHS Partial Shutdown Begins
After Congress failed to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security amid an ongoing standoff over immigration policy, DHS entered a partial government shutdown. Funding lapsed, forcing agencies to implement emergency measures and reallocate resources while prioritizing core security operations.
Early Morning — Sunday, February 22, 2026: DHS Announces Suspension of TSA PreCheck & Global Entry (Effective ~6 a.m.)
In an emergency shutdown announcement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the department would suspend TSA PreCheck and CBP’s Global Entry programs to prioritize limited staff and resources for basic travel operations at airports and ports of entry.
The department stated that expedited programs would be halted so personnel could be redirected to serve the “general traveling population.”
Late Morning — Sunday, February 22, 2026: TSA Clarifies: PreCheck Continues to Operate
Just hours after the initial announcement, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a statement saying PreCheck lanes remain operational “with no change for the traveling public.”
Rather than shutting the program down entirely, TSA said it would assess staffing constraints on a case-by-case basis at individual airports. Some courtesy and special-privilege escort services have been suspended to preserve resources and prioritize general passenger screening.
Midday — Sunday, February 22, 2026: DHS Reverses Course on PreCheck Suspension
Following criticism from travelers, airline groups, and lawmakers, DHS officially reversed the earlier order to suspend PreCheck. The program remains active — though future adjustments could depend on staffing and shutdown developments.
Sunday, February 22, 2026: Global Entry Remains Paused
Unlike PreCheck, Global Entry did not receive the same reversal. CBP’s expedited arrival processing remains suspended under shutdown contingency measures. Officers typically assigned to Global Entry are being redirected to general customs and immigration processing.
For international travelers, that means expedited re-entry may not be available until funding is restored.
How This Has Affected Travelers
Naturally, confusion has turned into frustration for many travelers — especially those who paid for expedited services for upcoming trips.
One traveler, Angie Albonico, shared on Facebook that she had driven 13 hours round trip in December so her son could complete the in-person interview required for Global Entry approval — specifically to make things easier on all of them for an upcoming trip.
Between gas, hotels, food, parking, and the application fee itself, she estimates they spent hundreds of dollars extra just to secure expedited status.
Now, with the program suspended, she’s worried about how it could impact their travel experience. “It’s my first time traveling with my son who has special needs and my dog, and this is really going to affect our trip,” she told us.
In addition to worrying about longer lines and added stress on her trip, she questioned whether they would receive any kind of refund for a service they paid extra for but may not be able to use.
“You realize you PAY extra for this ‘service,’ right? Are they offering refunds? (government) well of course not,” Angie wrote in her Facebook post.
Her reaction echoes a broader concern among travelers: trusted traveler programs like Global Entry require both an application fee and an in-person interview — sometimes involving long drives, months of waiting, and careful trip planning.
As of now, DHS has not announced any refund policy related to the suspension. And because Global Entry’s application fee is explicitly non-refundable under normal program rules, it appears unlikely that members would receive compensation for temporary service interruptions.
Bottom Line
The DHS shutdown remains unresolved, and its ripple effects could extend beyond airport security if lawmakers fail to reach a funding agreement.
For now:
- TSA PreCheck is still running — a relief for domestic travelers.
- Global Entry remains paused — meaning longer lines for international arrivals.
If you’re flying soon, plan extra time at both security and immigration. And as long as the funding impasse continues, travelers should expect the possibility of further operational adjustments.
*This is an ongoing situation, and policies may continue to change. Before traveling, check the latest updates on the DHS, CBP, or TSA websites to confirm current operations at your airport.
