The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will temporarily suspend enrollment and renewals for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, effective Sunday at 6 a.m. Eastern Time. This move is a direct consequence of the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left numerous federal agencies and services impacted.

The suspensions affect both new applicants and those seeking to renew their existing memberships in these expedited travel programs. TSA PreCheck allows eligible travelers to experience faster screening in airports, while Global Entry provides similar benefits and also expedites U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing for international arrivals. DHS stated that the decision is necessary due to the lack of available funding resulting from the shutdown.

Essential functions will continue, but non-essential services are being curtailed to conserve resources. The agency explained that the shutdown impacts personnel availability across various departments, including those responsible for processing applications and conducting interviews for these trusted traveler programs. As of now, individuals who currently hold active TSA PreCheck or Global Entry memberships will continue to benefit from the program's expedited screening and processing. However, the suspension of enrollment and renewals means that no new members will be added, and existing members will not be able to renew their status until the government shutdown ends and funding is restored.