Democrats have accusedThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accused of “punishing” travelers to the United States by “kneecapping” initiatives designed to help them navigate security lines more quickly.
The department stated on Saturday that it will pause the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck and Global Entry programs to address the situation.partial government closure at the federal levelwhich is now in its second week
Consequently, certain travelers in the United States could face major interruptions when entering the country—such as extended wait times and longer queues—which members of the Democratic party allege are deliberate actions by the department.
“TSA PreCheck and Global Entry shorten wait times and lessen the workload for DHS personnel,” Homeland Democrats, a group within a committee responsible for monitoring the activities of the DHS,wroteon X at Saturday night.
“But [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noemand her ‘confidant’ [political operative] Corey Lewandowski are undermining the programs that enhance travel ease and safety,” they added. “They’re deliberately ruining your travel.”
In a statement toMathHotels.com, a TSA representative stated: “Currently, TSA PreCheck is functioning normally without any impact on travelers. When staffing issues occur, the TSA will assess each situation individually and make necessary adjustments. For instance, courtesy escorts, including those for members of Congress, have been temporarily halted to enable officers to concentrate on the critical task of protecting America’s air travel.”
MathHotels.comreached out to the DHS via email on Sunday morning, when they were not typically available, to request a response.
What Is TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?
The initiatives aim to accelerate verified travelers’ passage through security checkpoints.
The TSA PreCheck program, introduced in December 2013, enables U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to pass through a special lane with faster security checks, where they don’t have to remove their shoes, belts, or light jackets, nor take laptops and liquids out of their bags.
As per the most recent information provided by TSA, the PreCheck program had 20 million active participants in 2024. Approximately 99 percent of these travelers, as stated by the program, spend under 10 minutes during the screening process.
Although the TSA PreCheck initiative is mainly intended for domestic trips, the Global Entry program provides faster customs processing for approved, international, low-risk passengers.
Both programs necessitate submitting an application, undergoing a background investigation, and paying a fee. Between the two, the Global Entry program is the pricier option, charging $120 for a five-year membership. TSA PreCheck participants pay anywhere from $78 to $85 for a similar five-year period.
Why Is the DHS Halting Their Actions?
Noem has attributed the cancellation of the two programs to the partial government shutdown, stating in a message shared with various news outlets, “shutdowns have significant real-world effects.”
She also mentioned that “TSA and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] are focusing on the broader traveling public at our airports and ports of entry, and have halted courtesy and special privilege escorts.”
A government shutdown that was limited—the third one since President Donald Trump returned to the White House—began on February 14 when legislators couldn’t agree on new guidelines for federal immigration officers.
In the aftermath of thedeadly shootingsby federal immigration agents in Minnesota last month, Democrats are calling for “significant reforms” in how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement bodies function.
Among other things, Democrats note that there is an obligation for agents to use body cameras and remove face masks—devices that are currently being extensively utilized by federal immigration agents—to enhance accountability and openness.
However, discussions have stayed stuck, with the requirement to reveal identities being especially disliked by Republicans who argue it could result in agents facing harassment or threats from demonstrators.
The present shutdown impacts roughly 13 percent of the federal civilian employees. It is restricted to departments under the DHS, such as the TSA.
For How Long Will the Programs Be Paused?
The initiatives will be halted starting at 6 a.m. ET on Sunday, as initially disclosed byThe Washington Post.
It’s probable that they will stay out of commission until Congress finalizes an agreement on DHS financing.
Update 2/22/2026 10:48 a.m. ET: This piece has been revised to include a statement from the TSA.
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