Washington(The COW News Digital)The United States has announced a major shift in its immigration policy, suspending the Green Card lottery program, officially known as the Diversity Visa Program. The decision comes in the aftermath of two tragic campus shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which have sparked national debate over immigration and security.
On the directive of President Donald Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Noem declared the suspension of the program, citing concerns over national safety. “This individual should never have been allowed to enter the United States,” Noem said, referring to the shooter involved in the incidents.
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Authorities revealed that the suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, was a Portuguese national who initially came to the United States in 2000 on a student visa and later obtained a Green Card in 2017 through the lottery program. Police reported that Valente fatally shot himself on Thursday evening following the attacks.
The Diversity Visa Program, which has been in operation for decades, grants roughly 50,000 Green Cards annually to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. Recipients are required to undergo a thorough vetting process, including background checks and interviews, before being granted permanent residency.
Critics of the Trump administration argue that the latest policy change is politically motivated, using the unfortunate events at Brown University and MIT as justification for tightening immigration controls. Trump has long expressed opposition to the Diversity Visa Lottery, claiming that it allows potential security threats to enter the country.
While supporters of the suspension argue that the policy is necessary to prevent future security breaches, opponents warn that it undermines America’s long-standing commitment to diversity and fair opportunity for immigrants. The decision has ignited debates in political, academic, and immigrant communities about balancing security with openness.
Secretary Noem’s announcement has prompted a review of all ongoing Diversity Visa applications, leaving thousands of applicants in uncertainty. Immigration experts note that this move could have long-term effects on U.S. demographics, workforce diversity, and international relations.
As investigations into the shootings continue, the administration has emphasized that national security will remain the top priority, and further changes to immigration policy may be implemented in the near future.
