Every year, the program offers up to 50,000 immigration visas, and over 20 million people apply. However, no more than 7% of visas can be allocated to applicants from a single country. Participants must have a high school diploma or equivalent work experience. However, winning does not guarantee automatic visa issuance, as a series of checks and interviews at consulates must be completed by the end of the fiscal year.
For many people, the lottery has become the only way to legally move to the U.S. without the help of sponsors. Although the program was popular and helped many, it often became the subject of political disputes. The Trump administration began criticizing the system as early as 2017, claiming it allowed undesirable immigrants. After a terrorist attack in New York committed by an immigrant who obtained a visa through this program, Trump called for its cancellation.
Suspension of the lottery in 2025
The situation escalated in December 2025 when a shooting occurred at Brown University, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others. The attack was carried out by Portuguese national Claudio Neves Valente, who received a green card through the Diversity Visa lottery in 2017. This incident prompted an immediate response from the government.On December 18, 2025, Interior Secretary Kristi Noem announced the suspension of the DV Lottery program, stating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): "At the direction of President Trump, I am ordering USCIS to suspend the DV1 program." She condemned the shooter and claimed that he would not have been able to commit the crime if it weren't for the immigration program.
The U.S. State Department explained its decision to temporarily suspend visa issuance in light of the incident, noting the need to review the selection and security procedures for lottery participants.
Critics accuse the administration of manipulation and argue that linking the crimes of a specific immigrant to the lottery is inappropriate. They contend that mass shootings in the U.S. are more often committed by citizens rather than immigrants.
"The Diversity Program is not the cause of the tragedy, and its suspension will not bring back the victims," said attorney David Keller, emphasizing that the administration's actions contribute to the rise of anti-immigrant sentiments.
Does the president have the right to suspend a program established by Congress?
The question of the legality of suspending the lottery has become relevant: does the president have the authority to cancel a program established by Congress? Formally, only Congress can change or cancel the program by amending the law. However, the Trump administration chose a different route, ordering the suspension of the program under the pretext of a national security threat.The White House seems to refer to precedents where the president has the right to restrict immigration if he believes it harms U.S. interests. Trump previously imposed a travel ban restricting entry from certain countries. In the case of the DV Lottery, the authorities simply do not conduct new application rounds and do not issue visas, citing the need to review processes.
American lawyers believe that the administration's actions could be challenged in court, as they contradict the spirit of the law. Immigration attorneys are already preparing lawsuits, arguing that the suspension of the program is an illegal "sabotage" of the immigration system. For example, the coalition of law firms IMMpact Litigation has already filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of individuals affected by the program's suspension. They intend to prove that the executive branch has overstepped its authority by effectively canceling a legislatively approved program.
What awaits the DV Lottery in 2026 and 2027?
The suspension of the program has created uncertainty among millions of potential immigrants. The DV-2027 lottery, which usually takes place in the fall, has been postponed without specific deadlines. The State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that the start of applications for DV-2027 would be delayed.As of early 2026, there has been no official announcement regarding the cancellation of DV-2027, but the dates for the lottery are unknown. State Department representatives only confirm that no new lotteries are planned, which likely means that DV-2027 will not take place.
The situation with winners
Regarding the winners of previous lotteries, the situation is also complicated. Winners of DV-2025 were supposed to receive visas by September 2025, while DV-2026 winners are left in uncertainty as their visas are suspended until further notice. The State Department confirmed that while applications can be submitted, visas are not currently being issued. Consulates are not canceling interviews, but many are receiving rejections as a result.For DV-2026 winners, there is a risk that they will not be able to immigrate by September 30, 2026, which would lead to the cancellation of their win. Immigration organizations may attempt to seek extensions through the courts, but there are no guarantees of success.
Will there be a lottery in the fall of 2026? The fate of DV-2028 remains in question. If the current administration's policy continues, the lottery in 2026 is unlikely to take place. The State Department has not officially confirmed plans regarding DV-2028, and the pause in the program may extend.
While the program is on hold, the State Department warns of scammers trying to take advantage of the situation. U.S. embassies caution that any claims of accepting applications for DV-2027 are false and urge citizens to be cautious until official announcements are made.
Freeze on immigration visas starting January 21, 2026
Additionally, starting January 21, 2026, the U.S. will suspend the issuance of immigration visas for citizens of 75 countries. The State Department announced this on January 14, 2026, citing the need to tighten control over immigrants who may become a burden on the U.S. budget.The pause will remain in effect until the selection criteria are reviewed and additional checks are implemented. Non-immigrant visas are not subject to this ban, and citizens of these countries can continue to apply for temporary visas.
It is important to note that this restriction does not mean a ban on participating in the lottery. The participation of countries in the DV Lottery is determined legislatively. However, the temporary ban on issuing immigration visas may affect the ability of lottery winners to obtain visas if they are from countries subject to the restrictions.
The new moratorium draws comparisons to the initial Trump orders in 2017; however, the focus now is not only on security but also on economic criteria, effectively establishing a property requirement for immigrants.
