TSA PreCheck Is Back, but Global Entry Is Paused. What’s Going On?

NYT Homepage

by Christine Chung and Ceylan Yeğinsu

February 25, 2026

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TSA PreCheck is operational again following a partial government shutdown, but Global Entry, its international counterpart, remains suspended. Officials have cited the shutdown as the reason for halting the expedited arrival program, which has led to inconsistencies at airports. While some travelers are experiencing confusion and frustration, TSA continues to manage the PreCheck lanes. TSA PreCheck allows eligible U.S. citizens and others to bypass standard security lines in domestic airports by undergoing a background check and paying an annual fee. The program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Global Entry, on the other hand, provides similar benefits for international arrivals and is managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has been particularly affected by the shutdown due to funding issues. The pause in Global Entry comes as CBP faces challenges during the shutdown, with many of its employees furlough

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/25/2026