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Global entry enrollment suspended for NY residents

I’m trying to keep away from politics and just stick with facts.

Department of Homeland Security has announced that It is suspending enrollment into Global entry and other trusted travel programs for New York residents.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-global-entry-trusted-traveler-new-york-ice-sanctuary-law

I put this in General Europe because it could potentially affect New Yorkers traveling anywhere and this is the time people start to gear up for their summer trip plans. Reentering the USA sucks and it especially sucks at JFK and EWR and I’m sure people are thinking of Global Entry as a way to make the return home easier

Posted by
5697 posts

And can California be far behind ?? Glad we got our GE cards last month!
Backup plan would be downloading the Global Passport app and paying the $15 per year fee to keep your entire party's data on file for expedited entry.

Posted by
414 posts

Thanks Dale! I hope Massachusetts isn't next. I have my Global Entry, but my husband does not yet. He's been "meaning to" before our Greece trip this year, but has not as of today. He'll have to start the process and hope he gets it before the same thing happens here. Appreciate the heads up.

Posted by
86 posts

My husband & I have our interview on Tuesday! Sounds like I've just wasted $200.

Posted by
10621 posts

The reverse of quid pro quo—a tit for tat— will be in court quickly, a stay issued until reviewed...don’t cancel your appointment yet.

Posted by
12313 posts

Looks like the argument is over "real ID" that New York and most states issue. New York just passed a "green light act" to allow anyone, regardless of immigration status, to get them.

Real ID was intended to allow most Americans on domestic flights to show only their driver's license.

Now we'll have to show passports for domestic flights because the idea of increasing security of regular driver's licenses is being undermined. I guess states could have saved all the money they spent to build a real ID system?

Posted by
16277 posts

States with RealID will still be able to use DL's for ID. Others will need either a passport or another form of ID such as their Global Entry card.

New York was compliant with Real ID until this past December when the DMV laws changed allowing undocumented aliens to get a Drivers License.

Posted by
357 posts

This makes no sense. As Tom pointed out, states issue Real ID, and non-Real ID compliant licenses/ID cards, so this looks like what the article says it is: retaliation against sanctuary cities.

Posted by
6528 posts

Tom_MN, not all states are Real ID compliant yet. Oklahoma has been asking for (and receiving) extensions for years. Our state legislature voted some years ago to refuse to comply, but they have had to back down. Real ID compliant OK licenses should finally be available later this year. Maybe.

Posted by
21145 posts

Why not just shut down the GW bridge? Worked great last time.

Posted by
1333 posts

It still doesn’t make sense for it to affect global entry enrollment. You need a passport to apply, you don’t even need a drivers license.

Posted by
892 posts

I've held an Enhanced DL since moving here 8 yrs ago. I have to wonder if DHS will suspend our ability to drive to Canada with it (I have a passport, but that's not the issue).

But yes, this is clearly retaliatory... It seems that they should only be able to suspend those that use a NY DL for a GE application (DL isn't required, but is frequently used). If someone happens to live in NY but uses a retired military ID, why should they be denied?

Posted by
6790 posts

Why not just shut down the GW bridge? Worked great last time.

Although he got some practice "working the cones" last time, maybe Chris Christie is unavailable for this round.

I believe NY is not the only state at risk for this. Maybe the one with the biggest target on its back (multiple targets, in fact...home of the "SDNY") , but there are other states with various issues around drivers' licenses (including my own state of Washington). This could spread. Glad I got my renewal in last year. What a mess!

Posted by
10621 posts

But this facial recognition data base has no relationship with shutting down Global Entry. If anything, having people's faces on file would facilitate GE. This is simply harassment; will there will be more and more harassment if there are no checks and balances?

Posted by
1213 posts

As to those New Yorkers with appointments/waiting for approval, read this post from a CBP officer over on FlyerTalk...

" We just got word that NY residents will be prevented from applying online for GE.

Conditionally approved applicants and those in "pending risk assessment" phases will be cancelled, and refunded.

Current members of NY will retain their membership until it expires."

Link to FlyerTalk thread here...

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers/2007770-dhs-secretary-suspending-trusted-travelers-programs-ny-state-residents.html

Posted by
1016 posts

I've removed a few posts. This is a reminder to avoid politics so that this thread can remain for any travelers affected by this.

Posted by
8880 posts

Global Entry is certainly a a much loved convenience, but it is not a right. If the federal government felt recent NY legislation would compromise the program, I can understand why it might take action. I hope this issue is resolved soon.

Posted by
4071 posts

I agree with Carol and this affects me. I’ll have to sit in the wheelchair longer at immigration if this is still in effect when my GE expires.

TSA Pre-Check at least can be separate so if this still is an effect near the expiration of my GE, I will renew TSA pre-check alone. That to me is very valuable.

Posted by
5848 posts

There is some incorrect info in the posts above. NY is not issuing ”Real ID” licenses to undocumented immigrants. They are issuing regular Drivers Licenses. The issue is about access to NY state data.

Per the NY Times

New York is one of more than a dozen states that have passed laws allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, contending it would make roads safer, provide more economic opportunity and reduce the fear of being deported for a driving violation.

But unlike other states, New York included a provision that restricted federal immigration agencies’ access to Department of Motor Vehicles records without a court order, federal officials said.

Posted by
1333 posts

Although it still seems petty to single out a state. Global entry doesn’t mean a free pass to come and go from the USA as please. You still need your passport. It’s just a way to expedite the often horrible lines at immigration. It’s a nice convenience for us, the leisure traveler. It’s a godsend for the business traveler that has just spent two weeks in some remote city in Qatar negotiating oil rights, not strolling along the Champs D’elysees.

Posted by
5848 posts

By the way, the NY Times as a very interesting op-ed on this. I’m trying to stay apolitical on this so won’t post a link but it starts ”You From New York? ...”

Posted by
4071 posts

When the NY Times editorial page is mentioned, one can no longer stay apolitical given that paper’s overt slant.

As a New Yorker, I initially freaked out when I heard about this. Like other legal restrictions by state and local laws that are already or will be newly enacted that curtail what we can have or do, we have to adjust or move away.

At least TSA Pre-Check is independent of this.

I hope this is ok with the Webmaster.

Posted by
20188 posts

I noticed on my last entry into the US the Globsl Entry kiosk no longer required I give my finger prints, but was more specific on the photo being centered correctly. I guess the benefit is already paying off. Well done Feds.

Posted by
759 posts

Dale- please do not confuse the ignorant with facts, they can’t handle it.

And thank you for informing the forum of the issue and changes- in a straight up and factual manner.

Travel safe,

One Fast Bob

Posted by
3522 posts

NEXUS SENTRI and all other programs similar to Global Entry are also impacted for New York residents.

Once again, if you already have any of these that are fully activated, they are not being cancelled, just no new or renewal applicants even those at the final interview stage are being allowed to go forward for residents of New York.