Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reopened Global Entry following a 17-day closure of the Trusted Traveler Program.
Global Entry, a biometric entry program for vetted U.S. citizens and permanent residents, reopened at 5 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday.
DHS funding has been lapsed since Feb. 14, when the current partial government shutdown began. DHS suspended Global Entry operations beginning Feb. 22. After implementing a TSA PreCheck shutdown for a few hours that same day, DHS decided to keep PreCheck open.
DHS didn't give a reason for reinstating Global Entry. It only said, "We are working hard to alleviate the disruptions caused by the Democrats' shutdown."
The move was welcomed by the U.S. Travel Association, which was among the travel lobby groups critical of the suspension, saying that it defied logic since Global Entry reduces the resources CBP requires at airport locations.
"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," CEO Geoff Freeman said. "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."
The DHS shutdown is now in its fourth week as the White House and Republicans in Congress remain at loggerheads with Democrats over Democrat demands for new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
During the shutdown, TSA agents aren't getting paid, a situation that had led to long security lines at some U.S. airports during the spring break travel period.
Freeman called on Congress to pass a measure to pay TSA officers during the shutdown.
"They deserve to be compensated without delay," he said.
The Keep America Flying Act, which has been introduced in Congress, would ensure TSA screening agents are paid regardless of the government's funding status.