by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:10 AM ET, Wed March 11, 2026
Global Entry, a popular Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program that was halted during this latest partial government shutdown, has now been restarted as of Wednesday, March 11, and the travel industry is applauding the move.
According to The New York Times, the Trump Administration announced the program’s restoration on March 10, blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
The travel industry was quick to respond to the reopening of the program, which will allow Americans and legal residents expedited processing upon return from international travel.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, Geoff Freeman, said, “We welcome today’s decision by the White House and leaders at U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reopen Global Entry and reaffirm the value of Trusted Traveler Programs.
“Over the last two weeks, the travel industry has been clear about the role programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck play in both security and efficiency. Through outreach to members of Congress and administration officials, collaboration across the travel sector, and strong public engagement, we highlighted a simple reality: Trusted Traveler Programs enhance security while keeping travel moving.”
Freeman was quick to call the suspension of Global Entry an illogical decision, explaining that Global Entry saves the government tens of millions of dollars a year. In 2025, it reduced arrival wait times by 70 percent and saved officers over 300,000 hours. Over 13 million Americans are Global Entry participants.
"Today’s step is an important one, but Congress must also act to support the Transportation Security Officers who keep our aviation system functioning,” Freeman continued. “These essential employees continue to report to work without pay during the partial government shutdown, and they deserve to be compensated without delay. The travel industry will continue working with policymakers to ensure these programs remain strong and that the aviation workforce gets the support it needs.”
TSA workers have been unpaid since the government went into a partial government shutdown on February 14. A coalition of travel industry associations, including the U.S. Travel Association, has launched the “Pay Federal Aviation Workers” campaign to lobby Congress to end the partial shutdown, which primarily impacts the Department of Homeland Security, under which TSA operates.
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