The United States government has announced the immediate suspension of the green card lottery following a deadly shooting at Brown University. The tragic incident claimed the lives of two undergraduate students and a university professor, leaving nine others injured.
Authorities say the suspected gunman, who entered the U.S. through the diversity lottery in 2017, has died from a possible self-inflicted gunshot. The suspension has left many hopeful immigrants, particularly in Kenya, grappling with uncertainty.
Green Card Lottery Suspension Ordered After Deadly Shooting
President Donald Trump, citing national security concerns, directed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt the Diversity Immigrant Visa program immediately. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the order on Thursday, December 18, explaining that the move is intended to prevent further incidents involving individuals who entered the country through the green card lottery.
“The president has long opposed the diversity visa lottery, believing it undermines U.S. immigration policy and public safety,” Noem stated. She also referenced the 2017 New York City truck attack by an ISIS-linked terrorist who entered the country through the same lottery program, resulting in the deaths of eight innocent people. “We cannot allow history to repeat itself,” she added.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, commonly known as the green card lottery, is designed to provide a small number of immigrants from countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration a chance to live and work in America. Winners are randomly selected through a computerized system, enabling them to study, work, or pursue better opportunities in the U.S. The program has been particularly popular in countries like Kenya, which have seen thousands of citizens benefit over the years.
Deadly Brown University Shooting Triggers Controversy
The recent shooting at Brown University, which took place on December 13, has intensified debates over U.S. immigration policies. Investigators report that the suspect, a Portuguese national who had obtained a green card through the lottery in 2017, opened fire inside a classroom, killing two undergraduate students and a professor. Nine others were injured during the attack.
Authorities later found the suspect dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shocking sequence of events has prompted policymakers to re-examine the diversity lottery, with critics arguing that the program poses serious national security risks. “This tragic incident underlines the vulnerabilities inherent in allowing unchecked entries through the green card lottery,” one U.S. official told reporters.
Global Impact on Immigrants and Aspirants
The suspension of the green card lottery has far-reaching implications for international communities that have long relied on the program. Kenya, for instance, has historically been among the top beneficiaries, offering thousands of citizens the opportunity to live, study, and work in the United States.
For many, the lottery has represented a lifeline—a chance to pursue higher education or secure better employment. The immediate suspension leaves countless applicants in limbo, uncertain about their future prospects. Education and immigration consultants have warned that the halt could affect not only applicants for the 2026 lottery but also those planning to travel on related visas in the coming months.
Future of the Diversity Visa Program Remains Uncertain
With the president’s order now in effect, the U.S. government has not provided a timeline for when, or if, the green card lottery will resume. The decision marks a significant setback for advocates who view the program as a tool for cultural diversity and economic enrichment in the United States.
“This is a devastating blow for millions of hopeful immigrants,” said an immigration attorney based in Nairobi. “The green card lottery has long been one of the few equitable avenues for ordinary citizens to secure legal entry into the U.S. Its suspension signals a new era of stricter immigration enforcement.”
Critics argue that while national security is paramount, the blanket suspension of the program may unfairly punish law-abiding applicants who pose no threat. Nonetheless, the Trump administration appears steadfast in its stance, citing public safety as the overriding concern.
The Green Card Lottery Suspension follows a growing pattern of tightened immigration policies in the United States. With lawmakers and global communities watching closely, the future of the diversity visa program—and the dreams of thousands—remains uncertain.
