DHS says Global Entry program is now reactivated amid government shutdown

As funding cuts at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continue, officials announced the resumption of the Global Entry program.

The program was “reactivated” at 5 a.m. ET on Wednesday, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “DHS is continually evaluating the actions it can take in an environment where Democrats continue to shut down the department.”

The statement continued: “We are working hard to alleviate the disruptions travelers are experiencing due to the Democratic shutdown.”

DHS CLOSURE FORCES AIRPORTS TO TELL PASSENGERS TO ARRIVE 4 HOURS EARLY WHEN MAJOR DELAYS ARE

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shut down Global Entry to airports last month at the beginning of a partial government shutdown. Instead, it directed agencies to help process passengers.

Global Entry expedites the U.S. customs and immigration clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States.

Travelers are required to apply for the program and pay a fee of $120, which will last for five years.

TSA PreCheck remains operational and open at most U.S. airports; however, lanes are evaluated on a case-by-case basis due to staffing constraints.

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While spring break travel continues at full speed, many airports are struggling with intense security measures.

TSA agents are struggling with partial paychecks and paychecks that will soon be empty if the shutdown continues.

CBP shut down Global Entry to airports last month at the beginning of a partial government shutdown. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The closure is causing major delays at some airports across the country, with wait times of 3.5 hours reported for passengers at major hubs due to a shortage of officers.

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TSA advises travelers to arrive “as early as possible” to avoid missing their flights.

Airlines for America (A4A), an industry trade group headquartered in Washington, DC, predicts that 171 million passengers will take to the skies between March 1 and April 30; This represents an increase of 4% compared to last year.

TSA advises travelers to arrive “as early as possible” to avoid missing their flights. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

Airlines expect to carry an average of 2.8 million passengers per day during this period.

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Chris Sununu, A4A’s CEO, recently called on Congress and the administration to act quickly to end this shutdown.

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“America’s transportation safety workforce is too important to be used as political leverage,” Sununu said in a statement. he said.

Fox News Digital’s Kelly McGreal contributed to this report.