Despite a previous announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the TSA has now confirmed that its PreCheck program will remain operational.
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" As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly," the agency said, per the Associated Press.
The issue with PreCheck and potentially Global Entry stems from a partial government shutdown that began on Feb. 14. The issue has occurred after the White House and the Democrats were unable to agree on a deal for legislation that funded the Department of Homeland Security.
"Democrats have been demanding changes to immigration operations that are core to President Donald Trump's deportation campaign," the Associated Press reported.
Previously, Homeland Security had noted that it was taking "emergency measures to preserve limited funds." Those steps included "ending Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck lanes and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry service, to refocus Department personnel on the majority of travelers."
It's fair to assume that the TSA's latest announcement has caused some confusion among airlines, airport staff, and travelers themselves. However, the situation is clearly fluid and subject to change as staffing levels continue to fluctuate around the country.
US Secretary of State, Kristi Noem, Has Spoken on the Potential TSA PreCheck Shutdown
On Saturday, Feb. 21, US Secretary of State Kristi Noem issued a statement on the potential shutdown of PreCheck.
"Shutdowns have serious real-world consequences," Noem said.
The TSA followed up with its own statement, noting that courtesy escorts could be among those worst impacted.
"Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America's skies," the TSA said.
The situation is clearly causing frustration within the aviation industry. Airlines for America issued its own statement on the matter, urging Congress to get a deal over the line.
"It's past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done."
There doesn't appear to be an end in sight to the current standoff. Nevertheless, there is hope that PreCheck can remain intact while all parties involved try to find a middle ground.
