 "DHS suspends TSA PreCheck & Global Entry airport security programs as partial govt shutdown looms")
The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Saturday that it is suspending the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs. The move is coming at a time when the partial government shutdown is looming over the Trump administration.
The programs in question are designed to help speed registered travellers through security lines. Hence, suspending them could cause headaches for passengers. Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that “shutdowns have serious real-world consequences”.
She also said that “TSA and [Customs and Border Protection] CBP are prioritising the general travelling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts”. According to The Washington Post, which first reported the suspension, the halt in the programs run by the DHS will begin at 6:00 am (local time).
About the program
TSA’s PreCheck program allows approved passengers to go through a dedicated, faster security lane at US airports and is designed to reduce wait times and streamline the screening process. Meanwhile, the Global Entry program expedites US customs and immigration clearance for pre-approved, low-risk international travellers entering the US.
The partial government shutdown began on February 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund the DHS. Democrats have been demanding changes to the draconian immigration operations that are core to US President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign.
Following the suspension of the programs, Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security slammed the decision and raised concerns about airport security.
On Thursday, the Trump administration ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a part of the DHS, to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster-affected areas due to the DHS shutdown. The department is also reportedly going to run out of funds soon.
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