Trump reinstates Global Entry, other travel programs for New Yorkers
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The Trump administration said Thursday that New Yorkers would once again be allowed to enroll and re-enroll in Global Entry and other federal travel programs after the state government earlier this year allowed limited access to motor vehicle records.
The Department of Homeland Security announced it had lifted a ban that dates back to February, when President Donald Trump's administration booted state residents from the programs that allow vetted travelers to avoid long security lines at the U.S. border.
The administration cited a still-existing state law that lets immigrants in the country without legal authorization obtain state driver's licenses and limits federal access to state records.
The Legislature in April amended the provision, and the Trump administration can now access driving records of individuals who are applying for the trusted travelers program, which is only available to legal residents.
The announcement comes at a time when international travel has been severely curtailed because of the pandemic, and a number of countries have barred U.S. travelers because of the high number of cases in the country.
Travelers using Global Entry kiosks. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who met with Trump at the White House to try to allow New Yorkers to rejoin the program and restart the importation and exportation of vehicles, said the fix protected New Yorkers' privacy while addressing federal concerns.
"I am glad that this issue has finally been resolved for all New Yorkers," he said.
But the DHS statement Thursday suggests still the Trump administration still has its issues with state policy.
"Nonetheless, local New York law continues to maintain provisions that undermine the security of the American people and purport to criminalize information sharing between law enforcement entities," Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said.
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GOV. ANDREW CUOMO STATEMENT
"After the Department of Homeland Security announced the ban on the Trusted Traveler Program for New York residents in February, I immediately met with President Trump at the White House to discuss what — to the extent that there were bonafide concerns — needed to be done to address the issue while still protecting the privacy of all New Yorkers. Subsequently the matter was dealt with in the state budget passed in April. I am glad that this issue has finally been resolved for all New Yorkers."