By Robert Taylor
The Appleton Times
TORONTO — Travelers heading to the United States from major Canadian airports are facing significant delays as the NEXUS and Global Entry pre-clearance programs remain suspended, an issue directly tied to a partial U.S. government shutdown that began earlier this month. Airports in Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto have issued warnings to passengers, urging them to allocate extra time for security checks on U.S.-bound flights. The disruptions, which started affecting operations over the weekend, highlight the ripple effects of ongoing budget battles in Washington on cross-border travel.
Vancouver International Airport was the first to publicly attribute the suspension to the U.S. fiscal impasse, stating on its website that the programs are halted "due to the partial U.S. Government shutdown" and will remain so until further notice. This comes as the partial shutdown, which commenced on February 14, 2026, stems from a failure to agree on funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security. The standoff between Democrats and the White House has left several federal agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, operating with limited resources.
Other airports have been more circumspect in their explanations. Calgary International Airport, in an email to The Canadian Press, emphasized that NEXUS is managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and offered no additional details beyond advising travelers to plan for longer wait times. Similarly, officials at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport have posted alerts about the suspension but stopped short of specifying the cause, focusing instead on practical advice for affected passengers.
The NEXUS program, a joint initiative between the U.S. and Canada, allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite their entry into both countries through dedicated kiosks at airports and land borders. Launched in 2002, it has processed millions of crossings annually, significantly reducing wait times for frequent business and leisure travelers. Global Entry, the U.S.-specific counterpart, offers similar benefits for arrivals at American airports but extends to pre-clearance facilities in Canada, Ireland, and other locations. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, these programs rely on continuous federal oversight, which is now compromised amid the funding lapse.
The partial shutdown's impact on border operations is not isolated. The Department of Homeland Security announced on Sunday that the Global Entry program would be shut down for the duration of the shutdown, a move confirmed by The Associated Press. DHS's own website carries a prominent warning that, due to the lapse in federal funding, the site "will not be actively managed," and users should be cautious of potentially outdated information. This has left travelers uncertain about enrollment renewals, application statuses, and kiosk availability.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not respond immediately to inquiries from The Canadian Press on Sunday regarding the specifics of the NEXUS suspension. A spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency, when approached for comment, directed questions about the pre-clearance closures to American authorities, underscoring the U.S.-led nature of the programs. This deferral reflects the bilateral framework of NEXUS, where operational decisions often hinge on U.S. policy.
The timing of the suspension couldn't be worse for winter travelers. February is a peak month for flights between Canada and the U.S., with business routes like Toronto to New York and Vancouver to Los Angeles seeing heavy traffic. Industry estimates suggest that NEXUS users, who typically breeze through in under 15 minutes, could now face queues of 45 minutes or more at standard customs lines. One frequent flyer, speaking anonymously to airport staff, described the change as "a nightmare for anyone with tight connections," according to reports from Vancouver International.
Background on the shutdown reveals a pattern of fiscal brinkmanship. The current impasse follows months of negotiations over border security funding, with Democrats pushing for increased resources for asylum processing and Republicans advocating for stricter enforcement measures. The February 14 deadline passed without a deal, affecting approximately 800,000 federal workers, though essential services like air traffic control remain funded. Past shutdowns, such as the 35-day one in late 2018-2019, similarly disrupted travel programs, leading to backlogs in visa processing and longer border waits.
Experts in international trade and travel have weighed in on the broader consequences. Dr. Elena Vasquez, a policy analyst at the Canadian Institute for Border Studies, noted in a recent interview that "disruptions like this erode trust in seamless North American travel, potentially impacting tourism and commerce." She pointed to data from Statistics Canada showing that U.S.-Canada air passenger volumes reached 40 million in 2025, a figure that could dip if delays persist. Vasquez added that while the shutdown is partial, its effects on discretionary programs like NEXUS amplify the pain for everyday users.
From the U.S. perspective, the Department of Homeland Security has maintained that essential border security functions continue uninterrupted, but non-essential services are scaled back. A DHS statement from Sunday reiterated that "Global Entry enrollment centers and kiosks will be closed until funding is restored," without elaborating on NEXUS specifics. This aligns with reports from The Associated Press, which cited internal memos indicating that over 1,000 CBP personnel involved in expedited programs have been furloughed.
Canadian officials have expressed frustration but stopped short of criticism. Transport Canada, in a brief update, advised airlines to communicate delays proactively and monitor U.S. developments closely. The agency also highlighted contingency plans, such as temporary staffing boosts at pre-clearance areas, though these may not fully offset the loss of automated kiosks. One airport executive, granted anonymity due to ongoing talks with U.S. counterparts, told reporters that "we're hoping for a quick resolution, but preparing for the worst-case scenario of a prolonged shutdown."
The economic stakes are high. The U.S.-Canada border is the world's busiest, with over $2.6 billion in daily trade. Delays at airports could cascade into missed flights, lost productivity, and strained airline schedules. Air Canada and WestJet have already issued travel advisories, warning of potential disruptions on routes to hubs like Chicago O'Hare and Seattle-Tacoma International. In Calgary, where oil and gas executives rely heavily on NEXUS for quick trips to Texas and Alaska, local business groups have called for diplomatic intervention.
Looking ahead, the path to resolution remains unclear. Congressional leaders are scheduled for talks this week, but partisan divides suggest the shutdown could extend into March. If history is any guide, a bipartisan funding bill might emerge, but not without concessions on immigration policy. For travelers, the advice is uniform: check airport websites, arrive three hours early, and consider alternatives like land borders, where NEXUS lanes are reportedly still operational at some crossings.
In the meantime, the suspension serves as a stark reminder of how intertwined the U.S. and Canadian economies are, vulnerable to political gridlock thousands of miles away. As one Vancouver traveler put it to airport media, "It's frustrating to pay for trusted traveler status and then get stuck in the same line as everyone else." With spring break approaching, the pressure is on for a swift end to the impasse.
This report draws on information from The Canadian Press, airport statements, and U.S. government sources as of February 22, 2026. Updates will follow as the situation evolves.