Green Card Lottery Paused: What the Diversity Visa Suspension Means

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. government has paused the Diversity Visa (green card lottery) program, after DHS officials said the suspect in the recent Brown University and MIT shootings entered the U.S. through this program.
• The pause does not automatically cancel lottery selections, but officials have not yet said whether interviews, visa approvals, or processing will continue during the review.
• The program has not been permanently eliminated, but it is on hold. The Diversity Visa program has been paused before and later restarted, and long-term changes could face legal challenges because Congress created the program under U.S. immigration law.

Overview

The Trump administration has suspended Diversity Immigrant Visa Program processing, commonly known as the green card lottery, following reports that a suspect in a recent shooting near Brown University entered the United States through the program.

What Is the Diversity Visa Program?

The Diversity Visa (DV) Program was created by Congress under the Immigration Act of 1990 to encourage immigration from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

Each year, the program:

• Makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available
• Selects applicants through a random electronic lottery
• Limits visas so no single country receives more than 7%
• Requires applicants to meet education or work experience requirements

There is no fee to enter the lottery. Applicants who are selected must later complete background checks, submit documentation, attend a visa interview, and pay required government fees.

Why Did the Government Pause the Program?

Federal officials say that the suspect in the Brown University shooting had entered the U.S. through the Diversity Visa Program.

Following this disclosure:

• The Department of Homeland Security called the program a security concern
• The State Department said it is working with DHS on additional measures
• The White House confirmed the administration has long sought to end or limit the program

The administration has paused diversity visa processing, but it has not announced how long the pause will last or whether it plans to formally terminate the program.

Who May Be Affected?

The pause may affect:

• People selected in the FY 2026 Diversity Visa lottery
• Applicants waiting for visa interviews or approvals
• Families planning immigration based on lottery selection

Entries for the FY 2026 lottery were submitted between October and November 2024. At this time, the government has not clarified whether already-selected applicants will be allowed to continue processing or whether cases will be delayed or frozen.

Has the Diversity Visa Program Been Paused Before?

Yes. The Diversity Visa Program has faced suspensions and restrictions in the past, especially after major security or crime-related events.

During President Trump’s first term:

• He called on Congress to end the program after a 2017 attack in New York
• Diversity visa processing was suspended in 2020
• Additional requirements were introduced but later blocked by courts

The program was later restarted.

What Happens Next?

Because the Diversity Visa Program was created by Congress, legal experts expect that any long-term suspension or termination could face court challenges. In the past, similar pauses have changed after litigation or political pressure.

For now:

• The program is paused
• There is no official timeline for resuming processing
• Government agencies have not released detailed guidance for affected applicants

Ellis will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they become available.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.