The U.S. has imposed a green card ban, suspending permanent residency processing. Find out who falls under the restriction and what it means for applicants

Order a consultation with a migration specialist to avoid unpleasant situations during the move

Buy

The United States government has taken another significant step toward tightening its immigration policy by suspending the Diversity Visa (DV) Green Card Lottery – a key legal pathway through which tens of thousands of people worldwide obtain eligibility for permanent residence in the U.S. each year.

In this article, we explain the reasons behind this decision and its potential consequences for applicants.

The suspension or restriction of green card issuance does not automatically mean the end of all immigration pathways to the United States. A certified immigration specialist can assess your individual situation, check the status of your application, and help identify alternative legal options for moving to or remaining in the U.S.

Professional guidance significantly reduces the risk of mistakes and delays.

Contact a qualified Visit World immigration expert today to receive a comprehensive analysis tailored to your case.

Has the U.S. Really Suspended the Diversity Visa Lottery?

On December 18, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending the DV-1 segment of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery.

The program is administered annually by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and provides up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year to nationals of countries with historically low levels of immigration to the United States.

So far, U.S. authorities have not released a detailed official explanation for the suspension. However, media reports and government statements have linked the decision to recent public safety concerns.

Why Did the U.S. Decide to Suspend the Diversity Visa Program?

The suspension follows high-profile shooting incidents at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in which a suspect was identified as a foreign national who had previously entered the U.S. and later obtained permanent residency through the Green Card Lottery.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security, citing this case and broader national security considerations, stated that the program presents risks that must be reassessed. Critics, however, argue that the Diversity Visa system already includes multiple layers of background checks and security screening.

What Has the Trump Administration Said About the Green Card Lottery Freeze?

The announcement reflects the broader immigration agenda of President Donald Trump’s administration, which has consistently pushed for stricter immigration controls throughout 2025.

Earlier this year, the administration suspended immigration procedures for nationals of 19 countries designated as “countries of concern,” affecting both visa and green card processing for applicants from those states.

President Trump has long been a vocal critic of the Diversity Visa Lottery, and the current suspension is widely viewed as another step toward limiting legal pathways to permanent residency in the United States.

What Does the DV Lottery Pause Mean for Applicants?

Based on the temporary restrictions already in place, applicants should be aware of the following implications:

- Current and future Green Card Lottery applications will not move forward until further notice.

- Winning the 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery no longer guarantees progression to the next stages of green card processing while the pause remains in effect.

- Additional legal challenges may arise, as the Diversity Visa Program is established under U.S. law, and its suspension raises complex statutory and constitutional questions.

What Other Immigration Measures Is the U.S. Implementing?

The suspension of the Green Card Lottery is part of a broader tightening of legal immigration policies implemented by the administration in 2025. Beyond the DV program, the United States has previously paused green card and citizenship applications for certain nationalities as part of enhanced national security reviews.

In addition, large-scale travel bans and visa suspensions affecting approximately 39 countries – covering both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas – are expected to take effect in early 2026.

Supporters of the administration argue that these measures are necessary to protect public safety. Critics, including immigration advocates and legal experts, contend that restricting legal immigration pathways unfairly harms applicants who already undergo rigorous vetting.

As legal and political debates continue, this development has the potential to reshape U.S. immigration policy for months – and possibly years – to come.

Changes in U.S. immigration policy can have very different consequences depending on an applicant’s category and status. Immigration experts provide case support during program suspensions, bans, and policy reviews, assist with appeals, status changes, and help identify alternative immigration options in the United States and other countries.

We help you move to the U.S. legally!

Reminder! The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also proposed major changes to the H-1B visa lottery, prioritizing highly skilled and highly paid workers. The proposal includes a four-tier selection system and a new $100,000 fee for certain petitions. Read how these changes could affect employers, applicants, and the H-1B lottery for the 2027 fiscal year. 

Photo - generated by Gemini

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.