The Trump administration has reinstated the Global Entry program that expedites U.S. customs and immigration clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security suspended the program on Feb. 22 but reversed course on its initial plan to also suspend the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program.
The DHS said the move was necessary to “preserve limited funds and personnel” during a partial government shutdown.
There are approximately 13 million travelers enrolled in the Global Entry program, which includes PreCheck as a perk. It is available at 62 airports.
Instead of face-to-face checks with immigration officials after arriving from abroad, members check in at a “Global Entry Kiosk”, a process that can take as little as 60 seconds.
Airlines and travel groups had pushed the Trump administration to restart the program.
The suspension of the Global Entry program has led to lines of three hours or more at some airports for travelers entering the United States.
Absences by TSA personnel in recent days have also led to long security lines at some U.S. airports.
Funding for the DHS, which oversees the TSA, expired February 14, as Democrats in Congress pushed to impose new limitations on aggressive immigration enforcement after agents fatally shot U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good last month in Minnesota.
Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu said: “[Travelers are being] used as a political football amid another government shutdown.
“The announcement was issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly, which is especially troubling at this time of record air travel.
“It’s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done that ensures TSA can fully operate and their frontline employees can be paid for the important work they do to keep our skies secure.”
