Stock Markets February 24, 2026

Travel Industry and Lawmakers Press White House to Reinstate Global Entry Immediately

Group representing U.S. travel sector and members of Congress say suspension adds lines, strains staff and raises security concerns after Department of Homeland Security pauses program

By Sofia Navarro
Travel Industry and Lawmakers Press White House to Reinstate Global Entry Immediately

A coalition of travel industry representatives and lawmakers urged the Trump administration on Feb. 24 to promptly restore Global Entry, the trusted-traveler program that speeds U.S. customs and immigration processing for pre-approved, low-risk international arrivals. The Department of Homeland Security suspended the program on Sunday but chose not to follow through with an initial plan to also suspend TSA PreCheck, prompting criticism from the travel industry about operational strain and funding rationale.

Key Points

  • The Department of Homeland Security suspended Global Entry on Sunday but decided not to suspend TSA PreCheck after initially planning to do so.
  • A coalition of travel industry representatives and lawmakers requested that the Trump administration immediately reinstate Global Entry, citing impacts on line volumes and personnel strain.
  • The U.S. Travel Association highlighted that Global Entry is funded primarily by a $120 fee paid by members and said there is no fiscal or logical rationale for the suspension.

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 - Leaders from the U.S. travel industry together with lawmakers called on the Trump administration on Tuesday to immediately revive Global Entry, the program used to accelerate customs and immigration clearance for pre-approved, low-risk international travelers entering the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security on Sunday suspended Global Entry. The department subsequently backed away from an earlier plan to also suspend the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program.

Industry representatives argued the suspension runs counter to DHS objectives by diverting travelers into regular processing lanes, imposing heavier workloads on frontline staff and elevating security vulnerabilities. In a formal statement, the U.S. Travel Association said the move would have consequences for routine border processing.

"Suspending this critical security program does the opposite of what the Department of Homeland Security intends, adding volume to standard lines, stretching the very personnel the department is trying to protect and increasing security risks," the U.S. Travel Association said. "The program is primarily funded by the $120 fee that members pay. There is no fiscal - or logical - rationale for this decision."

The appeal from travel industry interests and lawmakers stresses the operational role Global Entry plays in managing throughput for low-risk travelers, and frames the suspension as a decision that increases burdens on both staff and standard processing lanes.

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The request for immediate reinstatement of Global Entry comes amid debate over program funding and operational impacts at ports of entry. Lawmakers and industry groups are pushing for a reversal to relieve anticipated pressure on standard processing lanes and to avoid stretching DHS personnel assigned to border operations.


Context note: The article reports the positions and facts as stated by the travel industry group and the Department of Homeland Security's actions; it does not add additional claims or analysis beyond those statements.

Risks

  • Increased volume in standard immigration and customs lines, which could affect airports and border processing operations - impacts travel and airport staffing sectors.
  • Stretching of frontline Department of Homeland Security personnel, potentially increasing security risks at ports of entry - impacts public-sector security and border enforcement operations.
  • Uncertainty over program funding rationale tied to the $120 member fee, which raises questions about administrative decision-making - impacts travel industry financial planning and traveler experience.

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