The Department of Homeland Security has restored Global Entry members’ faster processing when they enter the US, lessening the public impact of the department’s ongoing funding lapse.
DHS as of 5 a.m. Wednesday restored dedicated border processing lanes for travelers who’ve undergone pre-screening, according to a department spokesperson who spoke on condition of anonymity.
DHS last month suspended that program’s benefit, arguing such moves were necessary to manage staffing limited by the partial government shutdown. Senate Democrats at the time said the move was unnecessary and aimed at inflicting pain on the traveling public.
The New York Times previously reported the change.
Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection staff have to report to work during the partial government shutdown, even if they’re not getting paid. But the missed paychecks mean more of them to call out of work, causing long lines at security for fliers.
Read more: US Airport Lines Worsen as TSA Agents Miss Their First Full Pay
Democrats and the White House have made little progress in the weeks since DHS’s base budget expired due to an impasse over immigration enforcement policy. Democrats have refused to fund the department absent changes after agents killed two Americans in Minneapolis.
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