U.S. SUSPENDS NEXUS DURING PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Canadian airports are warning travellers that NEXUS and Global Entry pre-clearance programs for U.S.-bound flights are suspended. Airports in Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto have advised passengers travelling through U.S. Customs to allow for extra time to pass through security checks.
Most airports did not explain the reason for the closure, with Calgary International Airport stating in an email that NEXUS is managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and that the airport itself had no additional information.
Vancouver International Airport, however, noted on its website that the programs are suspended until further notice “due to the partial U.S. Government shutdown.”
On Monday morning, Toronto Pearson simply stated on its website: “Please be advised the NEXUS/Global Entry lane is currently unavailable at U.S. Preclearance.”
NEXUS allows pre-screened travellers expedited processing when entering the U.S. and Canada, with dedicated kiosks at airports.
A partial U.S. government shutdown began Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond when asked for an explanation. However, The Associated Press has reported that the Department of Homeland Security said Sunday that the Global Entry program would be shut down as long as the partial government shutdown remains in effect.
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website noted that a lapse in federal funding meant the website would not be actively managed, and it warned that information on the site might be out of date.
A spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency referred questions about the pre-clearance closure to American authorities.
TSA Pre-Check confusion
Earlier in the day Sunday, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advised that its PreCheck program would remain operational, despite an earlier announcement from the DHS that the airport security service was being suspended during the partial government shutdown.
“As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the agency said.
Airport lines seemed largely unaffected through midday Sunday, with security check line wait times listed as under 15 minutes for most international airports, according to TSA’s mobile app.
PreCheck and Global Entry (and Nexus) are designed to help speed registered travellers through security lines, and suspensions are likely cause headaches and delays.
Homeland Security had said it was taking “emergency measures to preserve limited funds.” Among the steps listed were “ending Transportation Security Administration PreCheck lanes and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry service, to refocus Department personnel on the majority of travellers.”
Travel industry reaction
The U.S. travel industry said it welcomed the clarification that the Department of Homeland Security has decided to keep TSA PreCheck lanes operational at U.S. airports – “for now.”
“We are glad that DHS has decided to keep PreCheck operational and avoid a crisis of its own making,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “We are urging the same for Global Entry. These Trusted Traveler Programs strengthen aviation security and improve screening efficiency. They are funded by user fees, and there is no reason at this time for them to be suspended.”
Before the clarification, Freeman had stated, “We are disgusted that over the last 90 days, Democrats and Republicans have used air traffic controllers, TSA, CBP and the entire travel experience as a means to achieve political ends. Travellers should be prioritized, not leveraged (and)… should not have their mobility, security or travel experience diminished because elected leaders fail to resolve their differences.”
Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers, criticized the border announcement by saying it was “issued with extremely short notice to travellers, giving them little time to plan accordingly.”
The organization added, “The travelling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown.”
Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized Homeland Security handling of airport security after the initial announcement on Saturday night. They accused the administration of “kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure” and “ruining your travel on purpose.”
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