“Global Entry is a force multiplier for Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
that saves the government tens of millions of dollars annually. In 2025 alone,
the use of automated biometric technology reduced arrival wait times by 70% and
saved officers more than 300,000 hours; time and attention that was redirected
toward screening of unknown or higher risk travelers. Suspending this critical
security program does the opposite of what the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) intends, adding volume to standard lines, stretching the very personnel
the department is trying to protect and increasing security risks.
“Global Entry is far more than a convenience, it is on the front line of
national security. Its more than 13 million members undergo rigorous background
checks, interviews and vetting. Suspending it doesn’t just slow lines. It
increases costs and strips away a layer of security infrastructure that took
years to build.
“The program is primarily funded by the $120 fee that members pay. There is
no fiscal – or logical – rationale for this decision.
“We urge DHS to restore Global Entry immediately. A smarter, safer, more efficient entry process shouldn’t be a casualty of a funding dispute. And nor should travelers be used as leverage to achieve a political outcome.”
According to the statement, Global Entry, which currently serves more than
13 million members, has contributed to reduced arrival wait times and
operational efficiencies through automated biometric technology, enabling
Customs and Border Protection officers to reallocate resources toward
higher-risk traveler screening.
