Green Card Shock in the US: Diversity Visa Program Suspended
The United States has officially suspended the Diversity Visa (DV1) program, widely known as the “Green Card lottery,” in a move that has reignited heated debates over immigration policy. The decision was announced by US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, following a deadly shooting at Brown University. No timeline has yet been provided for when applications might resume.
According to Noem, the suspension was ordered directly by President Donald Trump. Applications were already expected to open later than usual this year, but the latest directive has effectively frozen the entire program.
Triggering Event: Brown University Shooting
The decision came in the aftermath of a fatal shooting at Brown University in Massachusetts, where two people lost their lives. Authorities later revealed that the suspect, 48-year-old Portuguese national Claudio Neves Valente, had obtained permanent residency in the US through the Green Card program in 2017. This revelation placed the Diversity Visa system squarely at the center of a renewed security debate.
Noem explicitly linked the incident to the Green Card program, announcing on social media that she had ordered an immediate halt to DV1.
“We Will Not Allow More Americans to Be Harmed”
In her statement, Noem argued that the suspect should never have been admitted into the country. “At the President’s direction, I am ordering this disastrous program to be stopped. We will not allow more Americans to be harmed,” she said. While the move has been welcomed by anti-immigration groups, it has drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates and civil liberties organizations.
A Program Affecting Millions Worldwide
The Diversity Visa program is one of the most popular legal immigration pathways to the United States. For the 2025 cycle alone, an estimated 20 million people applied. Including spouses, more than 131,000 individuals were selected through the lottery system. All winners are required to undergo extensive security and background checks before entering the country.
What Is a Green Card and Why Does It Matter?
A Green Card grants lawful permanent residence in the United States, allowing holders to live and work in the country and eventually apply for citizenship. Traditionally, applications for the Diversity Visa lottery open at the beginning of October each year. However, this year saw an unusual delay, with officials offering limited explanations.
US State Department sources previously cited system changes as the reason for the postponement, particularly the planned introduction of a $1 application fee for the first time. Recent developments, however, suggest that the delay was a precursor to a much broader political decision—one that could reshape the future of the program entirely.
