The Department of Homeland Security restored its Global Entry program on March 11 at 5:00 AM ET after temporarily pausing the service during the ongoing department shutdown.

The trusted traveler program, which allows pre-approved passengers to expedite their entry into the United States, had been suspended as part of operational adjustments during the shutdown. Officers who normally process Global Entry travelers had been reassigned to handle other arriving passengers during the pause.

A DHS spokesperson said the department continually evaluates measures it can take during the shutdown and made the decision to reactivate the program. The restoration comes as the department continues to operate with limited funding.

Global Entry allows approved travelers to use automated kiosks at airports and land borders to speed through customs and immigration processing. The program serves thousands of travelers daily at major international airports and border crossings nationwide.

The shutdown has affected various DHS operations, requiring the agency to prioritize essential functions and redeploy personnel as needed to maintain border security and immigration processing capabilities.