The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Feb. 22 that all Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports is suspended in order to refocus department personnel due to limited funds. Global Entry members, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, are now being processed through the regular entry processing lanes.
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to use expedited kiosks when entering the United States from abroad.
This action is in response to a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 after a deal on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security was not reached.
According to Associated Press reporting, travel industry experts estimate that Global Entry reduces the amount of time passengers spend getting through customs from an average of 30 to 90 mins for regular customs lines to 5 to 10 minutes in Global Entry lines.
CBP also suspended port courtesies for members of Congress at all ports of entry to include escorts and tours.
“TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts. FEMA will halt all non-disaster related response to prioritize disasters.” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.