DHS Says It Restarted Global Entry Program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on March 11 that it has restarted Global Entry, a program operated by Customs and Border Protection that allows low-risk travelers to enter the United States in a more expedited manner, after its closure due to a shutdown of the agency.

“As DHS continually evaluates measures it can take amidst the Democrats’ continued shutdown of the department, DHS has reactivated Global Entry on March 11th at 5:00 AM ET,” a spokesperson for the department told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. “We are working hard to alleviate the disruptions to travelers caused by the Democrats’ shutdown.”

The statement was referring to Democratic lawmakers’ decision to block legislation funding DHS last month amid controversy over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol operations, including the fatal shootings of two people in Minneapolis by officers earlier this year.

The shutdown began on Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund Homeland Security. Democrats have demanded changes to immigration enforcement operations that are central to President Donald Trump’s policy agenda regarding the mass deportations of illegal immigrants.

Global Entry allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to use expedited kiosks when entering the United States from abroad, saving them time at airports and other ports of entry. Homeland Security officials initially said the program would be suspended as long as the partial shutdown remained in effect when announcing the move on Feb. 22.

DHS has been shut down for weeks, and there have been few public signs that Republicans and the White House are coming to an agreement with Democrats to reopen the agency. Democrats have said they want changes to ICE, including prohibiting officers from wearing masks or military-style uniforms while performing operations.

“A change in personnel is not sufficient; we need a change in policy,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said during a news press conference last week, after Trump announced that he would replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) by the end of March.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in an X post on March 5 that he would not support Mullin as head of DHS.

“The rot in DHS is deep, much deeper than any individual. … The Senate should not consider any DHS Secretary nominee until DHS and ICE are reined in,” he said.

Republicans have said that ICE agents need to wear masks to protect themselves from harassment.

“Unlike your local law enforcement in your hometown, ICE agents are being doxed and targeted. We have evidence of that,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said last month.

“[If you] unmask them and you put all their identifying information on their uniform, they will obviously be targeted.”

On March 10, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the upper congressional chamber’s floor that Republicans and the White House are willing to work with Democrats on some proposals, including oversight, de-escalation training, and body cameras. However, he said, Democrats are refusing “to even sit down and talk.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.