The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that the Diversity Visa Program, widely known as the Green Card Lottery, has been halted indefinitely following a directive from President Donald Trump. The decision directly affects the program that grants permanent residency to around 50,000 people each year.
Security concerns behind the decision
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the suspension was ordered after renewed security evaluations. According to Noem, several past violent incidents involved individuals who had entered the United States through the Diversity Visa Program, raising concerns over the effectiveness of screening procedures.
Trump orders immediate halt
Noem announced that President Trump instructed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to stop the program immediately. The order aims to prevent any new admissions under the lottery system until further notice, as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls.
What is the Diversity Visa Program?
The Diversity Visa Program was designed to provide legal immigration opportunities to individuals from countries with historically low migration rates to the United States. Applicants are selected through an annual lottery and must pass security and background checks before receiving permanent residency.
Uncertainty for applicants
Authorities have not yet clarified whether applications already submitted will be processed or canceled. The announcement has left millions of potential applicants uncertain about future opportunities to obtain legal residency through the lottery system.
