Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the suspension on Thursday, December 18, emphasizing that President Trump had directed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt the DV1 program immediately.
The program, which aims to promote diversity by granting green cards to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S., has been a focal point in immigration debates for years.
Shooting Incident at Brown University
The incident at Brown University left two undergraduate students and a professor dead, with nine others injured.
The gunman, identified as a Portuguese national, entered a classroom and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Investigators later discovered the shooter’s body, which is believed to have been a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The U.S. government confirmed that the suspected shooter had entered the country through the DV1 program in 2017. He was granted a green card as part of the diversity lottery system.
This revelation led to heightened criticism of the program and intensified calls for its suspension.
Trump’s Longstanding Opposition to the DV Lottery
Secretary Noem revealed that President Trump has long been an outspoken critic of the Diversity Visa Lottery program. She referenced a 2017 incident in New York City, where a terrorist attack by an individual who entered the U.S. under the same program killed eight people.
Following the attack, President Trump campaigned against the lottery, asserting that it allowed individuals who posed security risks to gain entry into the country.
“At President Trump’s direction, I am immediately directing USCIS to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program,” said Noem during her announcement.
She further stressed that the suspension was necessary to prevent future tragedies linked to the program.
The 2017 NYC truck ramming attack, which was carried out by an individual who entered the U.S. through the DV1 program, had already sparked widespread debate on the security implications of the diversity lottery.
Trump's administration has repeatedly called for an overhaul of U.S. immigration policies to prioritize merit-based systems and to eliminate what they perceive as security vulnerabilities in the current framework.
Impact on Global Immigration and Kenya
The suspension of the Diversity Visa program represents a significant blow to several countries, including Kenya, which has historically benefited from the program.
Kenya, along with other nations in sub-Saharan Africa, has seen many of its citizens granted green cards through the lottery, offering them opportunities for a better life in the United States.
Since its inception, the DV program has been instrumental in granting visas to individuals from countries that have low immigration rates to the U.S., fostering cultural diversity in the process.
However, as of now, the immediate suspension has left thousands of hopeful applicants, including many Kenyans, in limbo.
For many aspiring immigrants, the Diversity Visa Lottery has represented one of the few viable paths to obtaining permanent residency in the United States.
Critics of the program’s suspension argue that it disproportionately affects individuals from developing countries, many of whom view the U.S. as a land of opportunity, where they can escape economic hardships or political instability.
In Kenya, where the lottery has been a prominent avenue for families seeking to settle in the U.S., the suspension comes as a major disappointment.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, thousands of Kenyans apply for the DV lottery each year, with a significant number receiving green cards. The program has been especially popular among young Kenyans looking to further their education and career prospects in the U.S.
A Controversial Decision
While the suspension of the DV Lottery program is framed as a national security measure, it has ignited debate over the balance between immigration control and diversity.
Critics argue that suspending the program based on one tragic incident could unfairly penalize a larger group of people who enter the U.S. legally and without harmful intent.
Advocates for immigration reform, including some lawmakers, have expressed concern that this move could set a dangerous precedent, potentially eroding the U.S.'s commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its immigration system.
“We should not allow a single tragedy to undermine a program that has helped foster diversity and global understanding,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a vocal advocate for immigration reform. “We must address the root causes of violence and extremism without punishing entire communities or nationalities.”
Meanwhile, others support Trump’s decision, claiming that the safety of American citizens should always be the top priority. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a staunch supporter of President Trump’s immigration policies, praised the suspension, calling it a necessary step to prevent future attacks.
The suspension of the Diversity Visa Lottery program marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, with major implications for global immigration patterns.
While the decision is framed as a response to security concerns following the Brown University shooting, it also raises broader questions about the future of U.S. immigration and the balance between national security and diversity.
As the U.S. government grapples with the consequences of this decision, countries like Kenya, which have relied on the DV Lottery to provide opportunities for their citizens, will be forced to consider new pathways for migration to the U.S., if such avenues remain open in the future.
