Washington, D.C.(The COW News Digital)The Trump administration has announced the suspension of the U.S. Green Card Lottery Program, also known as the Diversity Visa (DV) program, following recent university shootings. The decision comes after a suspect involved in the Brown University attack had used the program to enter the United States.
Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, confirmed that the suspect, Portuguese national Claudio Manuel Neves Vilente, entered the U.S. through the Diversity Visa lottery in 2017. Vilente is accused of opening fire at Brown University, killing two students and injuring nine others. The incident also resulted in the death of a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
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The Diversity Visa program, commonly referred to as the Green Card Lottery, is a U.S. government immigration initiative aimed at providing permanent residency to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Each year, approximately 50,000 individuals are randomly selected to receive a Green Card through this program, enabling them to live, work, and eventually apply for citizenship in the United States.
Following the university shootings, officials cited national security concerns as the primary reason for suspending the program. “We must carefully review the processes and safeguards of the Diversity Visa program to prevent future misuse,” Nielsen stated.
The decision has sparked debate among immigration advocates and policymakers. Critics argue that suspending the program penalizes thousands of lawful applicants who meet all eligibility criteria. Supporters of the suspension emphasize the need to reassess security measures and vetting procedures to protect public safety.
The incidents at Brown University and MIT have reignited discussions about campus security, immigration policies, and background checks for visa applicants. While the Green Card Lottery program has long been celebrated for promoting diversity in the United States, the recent events have prompted authorities to implement stricter oversight.
As the administration reviews the Diversity Visa program, thousands of prospective immigrants await further guidance regarding the status of their applications. Officials have promised to provide updates as the review process unfolds, balancing security concerns with the program’s long-standing objective of fostering cultural and professional diversity in the U.S.
