President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate suspension of the diversity visa lottery after it emerged that a suspect linked to deadly shootings at Brown University and MIT entered the United States through the program. The decision heightens national security scrutiny of legal immigration pathways and may prompt legal and policy challenges.
Green Card Lottery Program Placed on Hold
President Trump on Thursday directed the Department of Homeland Security to suspend the diversity immigrant visa program, commonly referred to as the green card lottery. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the order, stating that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has been instructed to pause the program pending further review.
Administration officials said the decision reflects concerns about national security, vetting procedures, and the structure of the lottery system. The suspension follows public attention on the immigration history of a suspect connected to multiple fatal shootings linked to Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Suspect’s Immigration History Under Review
According to court records and law enforcement affidavits, the suspect, a Portuguese national, first entered the United States in 2000 on a student visa to attend Brown University. He later left the institution, and authorities said his activities in the years that followed remain unclear.
In 2017, the suspect was issued a diversity immigrant visa and later obtained lawful permanent resident status. Officials confirmed that he was linked to shootings that caused multiple deaths and injuries before he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators are still reviewing how his immigration history interacted with existing screening procedures.
How the Diversity Visa Lottery Operates
The diversity visa program, set up by Congress, offers up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Eligible applicants are selected through a random lottery but must still undergo consular interviews and background checks.
Selection does not guarantee admission. Applicants must meet statutory eligibility requirements and pass security and identity screening, as other green card applicants do. For the most recent lottery cycle, nearly 20 million people applied worldwide, with about 131,000 selected, including their family members.
National Security Focus and Policy Direction
President Trump has often criticized the diversity visa lottery, claiming it does not adequately prioritize national security. The suspension is one of the most critical executive actions against the program and is likely to face legal challenges because the lottery was established by federal law.
This move is part of the administration’s broader efforts to limit both legal and unauthorized immigration pathways. Officials have pointed to public safety, vetting standards, and enforcement priorities as key factors in recent policy choices affecting visas, asylum, and admission programs.
Looking Ahead
The suspension raises questions about the future of the diversity visa program and the extent of the executive branch’s power over immigration pathways approved by Congress. Applicants, lawmakers, and advocacy groups are likely to watch closely for next steps, including possible court challenges or legislative actions.
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Resources
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/12/19/trump-brown-university-kristi-noem-green-card/
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