The suspension of the DV program, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy for decades, underscores the administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape immigration pathways, particularly in response to violent incidents involving foreign nationals. While the move may offer a sense of immediate action, its long-term effects on the U.S. immigration system remain to be seen.
The Diversity Visa Lottery: A Path to Citizenship
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program, established in 1990, allocates up to 55,000 green cards each year to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Winners are chosen at random through an annual lottery, and recipients must meet certain eligibility criteria, including education or work experience qualifications. The program aims to foster a diverse immigrant population, ensuring that people from countries with limited representation in the U.S. have a fair opportunity to obtain permanent resident status.
According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Valente’s participation in the program, which ultimately led to him obtaining a green card in 2017, was a contributing factor to the suspension. “This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” Noem said on social media, referring to Valente’s involvement in the shootings. Valente, originally from Portugal, first entered the U.S. in 2000 on a student visa but became a permanent resident after winning the diversity lottery. His 2017 entry was followed by a period of relative obscurity until the fatal shootings in November 2025.
This incident comes amid growing criticism from President Donald Trump and his administration, which has long opposed the DV lottery. Trump has argued that the program could potentially admit individuals who pose security risks, a viewpoint that has gained more attention in light of recent tragedies. Following the 2017 truck attack in New York City, carried out by a diversity visa recipient, Trump sought to end the program, claiming it allowed “the worst of the worst” to enter the U.S.
The Political Fallout and Future of the Program
The suspension of the Diversity Visa program has raised questions about the future of U.S. immigration policy. For years, critics of the program have argued that it lacks sufficient vetting processes, a claim that has gained more traction in the wake of violent incidents linked to individuals who entered the U.S. through the lottery. According to reports, Valente, who had previously been a graduate student at Brown University before withdrawing in 2001, had no known connection to the victims. Yet, the fact that he used the DV program to obtain U.S. residency has been used by officials to bolster the argument for stricter immigration policies.
While the DV program has been temporarily suspended, its future remains uncertain. Former President Joe Biden reinstated the program in 2021 after it was briefly halted during Trump’s first term. As of now, it is unclear whether the suspension will evolve into a more permanent ban, or if future U.S. administrations will seek to reform or fully repeal the program. The suspension also raises questions about the broader direction of U.S. immigration law, as debates continue over balancing national security with the country’s history of embracing diversity.
