Air passengers in the United States risk being significantly impacted by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partial shutdown that comes at short notice for travellers, leaving them little time to make alternative arrangements, airline lobby groups are warning.
The DHS has announced the suspension of its TSA Precheck and Global Entry airport security programs—measures that are supposed to streamline security processes for registered flyers—from Sunday, 22 February 2026. The PreCheck scheme is intended to reduce queuing and allow approved passengers to use speedy security lanes at US hubs. Global Entry, meanwhile, allows pre-approved, low-risk international arrivals to benefit from faster customs and immigration procedures.
Despite an earlier announcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that — at this time — TSA PreCheck remains operational. If staffing constraints arise, TSA will adjust operations accordingly. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and anticipate longer than… pic.twitter.com/5NFlRnuNa8
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) February 22, 2026
However, officials have since clarified that not every TSA PreCheck or Global Entry lane nationwide is guaranteed to close. Instead, availability may vary by airport depending on staffing levels and operational capacity, meaning some locations could continue offering expedited screening while others suspend it temporarily.
The US homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, said “shutdowns have serious real-world consequences” and that TSA and customs officials need to prioritise “the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry”, meaning that “courtesy and special privilege escorts” were being suspended.
A government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security means @TSA Officers are being required to work without a paycheck. Again. pic.twitter.com/kDeDNF117b
— U.S. Travel (@USTravel) February 18, 2026
While the initial government communication suggested a blanket suspension of the programs, the department now indicates that any closures will be determined locally, and it remains possible that certain PreCheck or Global Entry services could be scaled back rather than fully halted.
Acknowledging the shutdown’s knock-on consequences, Noem said it affects “the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck” and also “endangers our national security.” She also added that “the American people depend on this department every day,” explaining: “we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians.”
Hakeem Jeffries tries to blame Republicans and President Trump for the shutdown of FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard by the Democrats:
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) February 18, 2026
“This is day five of the Trump-Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Why are we in this moment? It’s because Republicans have… pic.twitter.com/S1tvSAc4k0
But the situation has Chris Sununu, chief executive for trade body Airlines for America, “deeply concerned” by the way the suspension treats the travelling public “as a political football amid another government shutdown.” Democrats agree and have told travellers the DHS is “kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure” and “ruining your travel on purpose.”
The shutdown coincides with a historic blizzard on the US east coast, which is set to cause travel chaos, with over 6,000 flights wiped from schedules, and roads and coastal areas at risk of closures. Yet orders from the Trump administration in response to the DHS budget standoff mean that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been told to stop the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster-affected areas.
However, most Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, and Coast Guard staff are working in roles considered “critical,” meaning they will likely continue to work, even if unpaid. Unlike them, ICE and Customs and Border Protection workers are able to continue receiving salaries thanks to $75 billion (about €63.6 billion) in funding approved in 2025 by President Donald Trump.
