Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Date: March 11, 2026
U.S. Government Plans to Resume Global Entry Processing
The administration of President Donald Trump is preparing to restart the Global Entry program, a trusted traveler initiative that allows pre-approved international travelers to move through expedited immigration processing at U.S. airports.
Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the decision comes after a period in which the program’s operations were limited due to administrative changes and security reviews. The program is widely used by frequent international travelers who undergo background checks and in-person interviews to qualify for the expedited entry process.
Authorities confirmed that the restart will allow new applications and renewals to move forward, restoring a key service used by millions of travelers entering the United States.
What the Global Entry Program Does
The Global Entry program allows approved travelers to bypass traditional passport control lines by using automated kiosks at participating airports. Once enrolled, travelers can complete immigration procedures in a matter of minutes.
Participants must undergo a security screening process that includes background checks conducted by U.S. law enforcement and national security agencies. Applicants are also required to attend an in-person interview at designated enrollment centers.
Officials say the program is intended to both enhance border security and reduce wait times at busy international airports.
Previous Suspension and Policy Changes
The program had faced disruptions in recent years due to policy changes and operational reviews. In some cases, applications from certain countries were paused while federal authorities reassessed security and data-sharing arrangements.
Administration officials said the restart of the program follows updated coordination between federal agencies responsible for immigration screening and border protection.
While the government has not publicly detailed every change made during the review period, officials indicated that the program will continue to operate under strict security standards.
Impact on International Travelers
Travel and aviation industry groups have welcomed the decision to resume the Global Entry program, noting that it plays a significant role in managing passenger traffic at major international airports.
Airports in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago rely on the system to help reduce congestion at immigration checkpoints, particularly during peak travel seasons.
Frequent business travelers and airline organizations have long argued that trusted traveler programs like Global Entry improve efficiency while maintaining strong security screening measures.
Continued Security Oversight
Federal authorities emphasized that the program’s restart does not reduce security standards. CBP officials said all applicants will still undergo comprehensive background checks before being approved.
The agency also noted that enrollment centers will gradually resume interviews for new applicants and renewals, depending on staffing and operational capacity.
Travelers already enrolled in the program will continue to use Global Entry kiosks at participating airports across the United States and select international pre-clearance locations.
Looking Ahead
The decision to restart Global Entry processing reflects the administration’s effort to balance security requirements with the operational needs of the country’s international travel infrastructure.
Officials say additional details about enrollment timelines, application processing, and interview scheduling will be announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the coming weeks.
For international travelers who rely on expedited entry procedures, the program’s return is expected to restore a key part of the United States’ border processing system.
Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection statements, Associated Press, U.S. Department of Homeland Security information, aviation industry reports.
Tags: Global Entry Program, President Donald Trump, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, International Travel, Border Security, United States
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