Trump Suspends Green Card Lottery After Tragic Shootings

Fri Dec 19 2025 17:39:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a response to a recent tragedy where multiple people were killed, President Trump has announced the suspension of the green card lottery program, a move that could have significant implications for future immigrants seeking residency in the U.S.

Following recent shootings at Brown University and MIT by a Portuguese national, President Trump ordered the suspension of the green card lottery program, which aims to provide 50,000 green cards annually through a selection process. Critics warn that this move may face legal challenges, while supporters argue it addresses national safety concerns. The diversity visa lottery allows applicants from underrepresented countries, but will now be halted pending further review.

By suspending the green card lottery, Trump aims to tighten immigration laws in light of tragic events. The shooter, Claudio Neves Valente, who had previously gained residency through the lottery, is linked to the killings of two students at Brown University and the death of an MIT professor. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that such individuals should not have been allowed into the country.

Since its inception, the diversity visa lottery has allowed for applicants primarily from underrepresented countries, providing opportunities for many seeking a new life in the U.S. The lottery typically accommodates 50,000 visas, but this recent suspension raises questions about the future of immigration policies in the Trump administration.

Find out more about the ongoing investigation and its impacts.