In the wake of a deadly shooting at Brown University, the Trump administration has suspended the U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa program — better known as the Green Card Lottery — after learning the suspected shooter entered the country using the program.
The decision, announced by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, pauses the annual green card lottery which offered up to 50,000 visas to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
What does this mean for people who planned to apply for the Green Card Lottery this year?
Electronic registrations for the fiscal year 2027 Green Card lottery are suspended until further notice.
During the pause, the government will enhance security vetting of applicants including conducting national security checks against terrorism databases, assessing public safety risks, and verifying each applicant’s identity.
Why was the Green Card lottery created?
The Green Card lottery was established by Congress in 1990 and officially began in 1995. Its purpose was to diversify the immigrant population by providing a legal pathway to permanent residency for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.
Each year, the program made up to 50,000 immigrant visas available through a randomized selection process, aiming to promote broader geographic representation and reinforce America’s long-standing identity as a nation shaped by immigrants from around the world.
For many, the program represented a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue the American dream. Last year alone, more than 20 million people entered the lottery, highlighting the intense demand for these visas.
How does the suspension affect Immigrant Visa Issuance for Green Card Lottery winners?
Following the government’s announcement, the State Department temporarily suspended the issuance of DV immigrant visas at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The government claims it is making changes to its screening and vetting procedures to ensure that DV applicants’ identities and eligibility are properly verified and that they do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The State Department has confirmed that previously issued DV visas remain valid and that it will continue to accept applications and conduct interviews, but no new DV visas will be issued during the pause.
How does the suspension affect adjustment of status Green Card Lottery winners in the U.S.?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily paused the processing of adjustment of status applications for Diversity Visa Lottery winners, and related filings.
The agency will continue to process cases, but final decisions will remain suspended until the hold is lifted by the USCIS Director.
This suspension affects not only adjustment applications but also related filings for employment authorization and advance parole, causing significant delays that impact applicants’ ability to work and travel internationally.
Unlike most green card applicants, diversity visa lottery winners face a deadline. Their applications must be approved by the end of the fiscal year (September 30) or they lose eligibility.
Prolonged USCIS and State Department holds could therefore have serious consequences for those seeking permanent residence through the diversity visa program.
What legal authority does the government have to suspend the Green Card lottery?
The U.S. government argues that it can suspend the Green Card Lottery under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the president and federal agencies authority to limit visas for national security or public safety reasons. DHS and USCIS can also review or deny applications based on security screenings or eligibility, providing legal grounds to pause the program.
Immigration advocates maintain that the suspension is a pretext to restrict immigration, and that a single shooting incident does not justify such broad national security measures suspending the program.
What can we expect in the future?
The future of the Green Card Lottery is uncertain and could involve extended legal battles and a prolonged suspension. Immigration organizations are likely to challenge the suspension in court, arguing that it is unjustified and violates established immigration laws.
Meanwhile, the government may use this pause to conduct extensive security reviews or push for legislative changes to reshape or permanently end the program. Until these disputes are resolved, applicants can expect delays and increased scrutiny.
This is an ideal time to explore alternative pathways to live and work in the United States such as investment visas, work visas, and student visas.
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