In a major development regarding U.S. immigration policy, U.S. Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem announced late Thursday that President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate pause on the Diversity Visa Lottery. This program, often referred to as the green card lottery, grants visas to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. The suspension comes in direct response to the tragic shooting at Brown University, as the suspect reportedly entered the country through this specific visa category.
The Link to the Brown University Shooting
The decision to suspend the program is inextricably results from the recent violence at Brown University. According to Secretary Noem, the shooting suspect entered the United States in 2017 using the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV1) program. The suspect, identified as a 48-year-old Portuguese man who had been a student at Brown University two decades earlier, later obtained a green card under the same program.
Secretary Noem issued a strong statement regarding the suspect and the program itself. She stated that at President Trump’s direction, she was immediately directing United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed. She described the suspect as a “heinous individual” who should never have been allowed into the country and characterized the visa lottery as a “disastrous program.”
Details of the Tragedy and Investigation
The suspension follows a week of violence that has shaken the academic community. Two people were killed and nine others were wounded in the mass shooting at Brown University. Authorities found the suspect dead of self-inflicted wounds at a storage facility in New Hampshire on Thursday and are continuing to investigate the case.
In a disturbing development, investigators also believe the man was responsible for the killing of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, who was fatally shot in Boston earlier in the week. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah B. Foley confirmed the connection, highlighting the multi-state nature of the investigation.
Looking Ahead
This suspension marks a significant and abrupt shift in immigration processing. The Diversity Visa Lottery has long been a fixture of the U.S. immigration system, providing a pathway for thousands of individuals annually. The pause indicates the administration’s willingness to make rapid, broad policy changes based on specific security concerns. It remains to be seen how long this pause will last or if it will lead to a permanent termination of the DV1 program.
If you have questions about how new immigration policies might affect you or your family, or if you are interested in other visa options, we invite you to download our free guides, sign up for one of our free webinars where you can ask questions, or schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your strategy.
