Background: Shutdown Creates Ripple Effects Across U.S. Travel System
The ongoing shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has begun to impact international travel to and from the U.S. to a great extent. Therefore, it has become an urgent task for the Trump administration to resume operations of critical trusted traveler programs. One of the programs that has been affected is Global Entry. It is a program that allows pre-approved and low-risk travelers to pass through customs quickly at major airports using automated kiosks.
Due to the ongoing shutdown of DHS agencies, there is a shortage of staff that has affected the processing of new applications and renewals of Global Entry. It has affected travelers who use this program to pass through customs quickly. It has affected international tourists who use this program to travel to and from the U.S. It has also affected business travelers who use this program to travel to and from the U.S.
Therefore, it has become a priority to resume operations of Global Entry to avoid growing congestion at airports.
What Global Entry Means for Travelers
Global Entry is overseen by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency of DHS whose responsibility is to protect America’s borders while at the same time promoting free travel and commerce. Global Entry gives its members access to automated kiosks to expedite their travel through customs when entering the U.S.
It is widely regarded as one of the best means of speeding up travel to the U.S. Furthermore, Global Entry members get to enjoy TSA PreCheck services.
Due to its benefits, there has been an increase in demand for Global Entry services over the years. Before the shutdown, over 10 million travelers were already part of the program. With travel activity increasing internationally, applications to enroll in the program continue to increase, thus creating an additional burden on the system during a shutdown.
Shutdown Halts Interviews and Application Processing
This has impacted various administrative activities necessary to sustain the program. The requirements for becoming part of the Global Entry program involve undergoing a background check and an in-person interview with CBP officials at enrollment centers.
Most of these enrollment centers have had to reduce their operations or completely shut down due to insufficient funds caused by the shutdown. Applicants have had their scheduled interviews canceled, and new appointments have had to be scheduled months into the future.
CBP officials are still working and performing their duties, but those administrative officials responsible for handling applications and scheduling have been furloughed.
This has caused tens of thousands of applications to have gone unprocessed, according to travel industry officials.
Administration Pushes Plan to Resume Operations
In response to the rising complaints from travelers and other affected groups, officials within the Trump administration have announced their plans to restore some of the core aspects of the Global Entry program despite the still unresolved DHS budget dispute.
The officials are planning to utilize personnel to extend the hours of operation for interviews at enrollment facilities. They are also considering the use of additional mobile enrollment facilities to conduct interviews at these facilities.
The officials at DHS claim that this move would help to relieve some of the congestion at customs facilities, particularly at major airports such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Travel experts claim that this move could help to reduce long waiting times for passengers, which have increased considerably due to the shutdown.
Airlines and Travel Industry Raise Concerns
Airlines and tourism groups have expressed concern that continued disruptions to the Global Entry Service could impact the travel economy. Organizations, such as the U.S. Travel Association, state that trusted traveler programs are vital to facilitating efficient travel processes as international travel continues to grow.
If the Global Entry Service is not operating smoothly, travelers are forced to utilize regular passport lines, which are significantly slower, especially during peak travel hours.
Representatives of airlines state that not only are passengers affected by long lines, but airports are also affected as they try to facilitate large numbers of international flights arriving in the country.
Airlines are also concerned that long lines could deter international visitors from entering the United States, especially business travelers who rely on efficient entry processes.
Travelers Face Uncertainty
For individuals who are already part of the Global Entry program, the impact of the shutdown depends on whether or not their membership is still active. For individuals with active membership, they can still use kiosks when entering the country.
However, individuals whose membership is set to expire may encounter problems when trying to renew their membership if it is still under review or if they need to schedule an interview.
Some individuals have opted to use other alternatives, such as Mobile Passport Control. It is an app that allows individuals to enter their information before entering the country. Although it may help individuals save time when entering the country, it is not as efficient as Global Entry.
Frequent travelers say that the shutdown has made it harder to plan international travel.
Broader Implications of the DHS Shutdown
The impact of the shutdown on the Global Entry program illustrates the overall impact of the shutdown on the Department of Homeland Security. Besides trusted traveler programs, there are other immigration and travel-related programs and infrastructure that have been impacted, such as the issuance of visas and border infrastructure development.
While security personnel are still at work, many of the administration systems, which play an important role in the administration of travel and immigration programs, are either operating at slow speeds or are completely stopped.
According to analysts, the operation of programs such as the Global Entry program illustrates the role of administration and technology in the management of borders, aside from security personnel.
Courtesy Of Alex Smith ( Flickr CC0)Looking Ahead
According to those in the DHS, there are still short-term priorities to work on in order to resolve the issue of the shutdown and allow those in Congress to work on a long-term solution to the issue of government funding.
If the measures are successful, there is a possibility that there could be improvements in the coming weeks regarding the number of interviews available and how quickly applications are being processed. Nevertheless, this would all depend on how the shutdown is resolved in due course.
As travel internationally continues to pick up, it is possible that the effectiveness of programs such as Global Entry could play a significant role in how smoothly travel is allowed into the United States.
By William Hernandez
Journalist for Vlixx Magazine, reporting on news from around the world, ensuring timely, accurate, and detailed information to keep the public informed and educated.
Sources:
CNN: Trump administration to restore Global Entry program as DHS shutdown impacts travel
The Hill: Global Entry program restarts after shutdown pause
Featured Image Courtesy of Jacob Barone’s Law Enforcement Photography Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Alex Smith Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
