<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/usa" rel="" target="_blank" title="US Global Entry program"><span>US Global Entry program</span></a><span> just slammed shut and it could cause major issues for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/travel" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australian travellers"><span>Australian travellers</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Global Entry is a US customs program that which offers some </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/travel" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australians"><span>Australians</span></a><span> a streamlined, expedited clearance through dedicated lanes at immigration.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It functions like a membership program that allows pre-approved, low-risk Aussie travellers to use special kiosks when entering the US to get through customs quickly.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>WORLD:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-says-us-sending-hospital-boat-to-greenland/7fa7e6ac-a649-4a7e-807e-4e3472f18439" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump offered to send Greenland a 'hospital boat'. The reply was blunt.</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/destinations/us-global-entry-program-for-australians-how-does-it-work-explainer/0cd1b17f-a0da-40c2-bb9b-1e38054cc5a3" rel="" target="_blank" title="Aussies can apply online"><span>Aussies can apply online</span></a><span>, then undergo a background check and interview before being approved for a five-year Global Entry membership.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The non-refundable application fee is $US100.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Aussies travelling to the US still need to satisfy visa entry requirements, such as applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/us-global-entry-suspended-what-does-this-mean-for-australians-explained/d0e2dbb7-f6bf-405c-a70c-9e454e91f8a1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Global Entry members then get to skip processing lines and paperwork when entering the US and wait times at customs can be slashed from up to 90 minutes to just 10 minutes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the program, which only recently opened to Aussies, has just been closed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Have you got a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter Maddison Leach at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" rel="" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au"><strong><em><span>mleach@nine.com.au</span></em></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Sunday (local time) that the Global Entry had been shutdown due to ongoing government chaos.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US has been in the grips of a partial government shutdown since February 14.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It kicked off when Democrats rejected White House legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has been responsible for carrying out </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="_blank" title="President Donald Trump's"><span>President Donald Trump's</span></a><span> divisive immigration campaigns.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/i-felt-defamed-the-perth-mum-and-business-owner-cancelled-by-metas-ai/2d86f7fd-dc91-4c13-a8a4-411ac938cfac" target="_blank"><strong><span>'I felt defamed': Perth mum and business owner cancelled by Meta's AI</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The TSA, which is part of the DHS, said it would have to take "emergency measures to preserve limited funds".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now it has announced the Global Entry program will remain offline until the government shutdown ends.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Shutdowns have serious real world consequences," DHS Secretary </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/who-is-kristi-noem-us-politics-explained/c242660c-3391-4d32-9548-978cb2ccce69" rel="" target="_blank" title="Kristi Noem"><span>Kristi Noem</span></a><span> said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Airlines for America, a trade group which represents major US carriers, criticised the move which it said was "issued with extremely short notice to travellers, giving them little time to plan accordingly".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The organisation said it is deeply concerned suspending the Global Entry program is a ploy to use the travelling public "as a political football" amid the government shutdown.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>ROYALS:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrest-photo-of-ex-prince-leaving-uk-police-station-hung-in-louvre/e10fdc79-6ce8-4e68-b84e-36a813a0e7ab" target="_blank"><strong><span>Now-infamous photo of ex-prince Andrew hung in the Louvre</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security also criticised the shutdown, accusing the Trump administration of "kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's unclear how the Global Entry suspension will affect Australian travellers who have already paid for applications.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you have been affected and want to share your story, contact reporter Maddison Leach at </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au."><span>mleach@nine.com.au.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" 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