Transportation

US restarts Global Entry program

Photo: Adobe Stock

March 18, 2026

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Global Entry kiosks at U.S. airports resumed operations on March 11 after a 17-day suspension that had disrupted international travel, according to a report on the news site Travel and Tour World. The Department of Homeland Security deactivated the system on February 22 due to a government shutdown-related funding lapse that affected U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations. During the pause, millions of travelers were forced to use standard immigration lines rather than the expedited kiosk process, leading to longer wait times and increased congestion at major airports.

The Global Entry program allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to quickly re-enter the United States by using automated kiosks that scan passports and collect basic information, eliminating the need for manual document checks. With the kiosks offline during the shutdown, CBP officers had to shift resources to handle general passenger processing, slowing down customs clearance and creating frustration for travelers and airlines.

The restoration of the kiosks is expected to ease pressure at busy airports, especially as international travel continues to rise ahead of the spring and summer travel seasons. Still, the broader DHS shutdown continues to affect airport operations. Staffing shortages and operational challenges remain for agencies such as TSA and delays may still occur, particularly for travelers who are not enrolled in trusted traveler programs like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.

Transportation