The Trump administration announced a major change to U.S. immigration policy this week following a series of deadly shootings linked to a foreign national. President Donald Trump ordered a pause on the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, widely known as the green card lottery, after officials said the suspected gunman in shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) entered the country through that program.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made the announcement late Thursday, saying the decision reflects rising concern over public safety and immigration control. The move is part of the administration’s broader effort to tighten legal immigration pathways amid ongoing political debate and high‑profile violence.
Why the Program Was Suspended
Officials tied the decision directly to the case of Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48‑year‑old Portuguese national who authorities say was responsible for the shootings at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Valente later allegedly killed an MIT professor at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Law enforcement found Valente dead from an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot wound in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, after a multi‑day manhunt.
Secretary Noem said Valente “should never have been allowed in our country.” She posted on the social platform X that, at President Trump’s direction, she was ordering the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to pause the program immediately.
The decision echoes long‑standing criticism by Trump and some Republican lawmakers that the diversity visa lottery, known as the DV1 program, poses security risks because it grants entries by chance rather than merit. Trump has previously called for the program’s end.
What Is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program was created by Congress to diversify the immigrant population in the United States. It grants up to roughly 50,000 green cards each year to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S., including many nations in Africa and Europe. Winners are selected at random through a large online application and must then undergo background checks, interviews, and other standard immigration requirements before they can enter the country.
For the 2025 lottery, nearly 20 million people applied worldwide, with more than 131,000 selected including family members. Of those, only 38 slots went to citizens of Portugal. After being chosen, winners must still pass vetting to be admitted as permanent residents.
Mixed Reactions and Legal Challenges Ahead
The suspension of the green card lottery has already stirred debate. Immigration advocates say the lottery helps people from underrepresented countries access legal pathways to permanent residency and contributes to the cultural and economic strength of the United States. They also note winners undergo vetting before entry. Critics have called past pauses and restrictions politically motivated.
Legal challenges are expected. The lottery program was established by Congress, and experts suggest that a pause or end could face lawsuits from immigration rights groups, universities, and other organizations that support diversity visas.
Context: Shootings That Sparked the Decision
The decision to suspend the lottery came after two high‑profile shootings rocked academic communities:
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Brown University Shooting (Dec. 13, 2025): A gunman opened fire during a study session at Brown’s School of Engineering in Providence, killing two students and injuring nine others.
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MIT Professor’s Murder (Dec. 15, 2025): Two days later, authorities said the same suspect fatally shot Nuno Loureiro, a physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, had briefly studied at Brown as a graduate student in the early 2000s before leaving the program. Later, in 2017, he won the diversity visa lottery and became a permanent U.S. resident.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shootings and whether there were warning signs before the attacks.
What the Suspension Means for Immigrants
Hundreds of thousands of hopeful immigrants apply for the DV lottery each year. Pausing the program could delay or block thousands from pursuing legal residency through this route. While the lottery is now on hold, it’s unclear how long the suspension will last or what legal outcomes may follow.
Experts say this move adds to a series of immigration restrictions under the Trump administration, including heightened scrutiny of visas and increased border enforcement.
Supporters of the suspension argue that any policy tied to public safety should be reviewed to protect American residents. Opponents say the program’s risks are already mitigated through thorough vetting and express concern that ending it could reduce lawful immigration opportunities.
Looking Ahead
As federal agencies review the future of the green card lottery, lawmakers, immigration advocates, and legal experts will watch closely. Some argue the suspension could help prompt broader immigration reform, while others warn it could make it harder for families and skilled workers to come to the United States legally.
The shootings at Brown University and MIT have left many questions unanswered. But the policy response especially the pause of a long‑standing visa program marks a significant moment in U.S. immigration policy and political debate.