US Diversity Visa Back in Focus After Shooting: What You Need to Know

The US Diversity Visa program, also known as the 'green card lottery', has come under renewed scrutiny following the recent shooting incidents linked to Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national who entered the United States through the program. The incident has prompted President Donald Trump to suspend the lottery, raising questions about how the visa works, who qualifies for it, and the level of vetting involved. The Diversity Visa program, administered by the US Department of State, was created by Congress to promote immigration from countries with historically low migration rates to the US. Every year, up to 55,000 immigrant visas are made available to applicants from eligible countries through a random selection process. Contrary to popular belief, winning the lottery does not automatically grant a green card. Applicants must submit a free online entry during a limited annual window and undergo a multi-step process, including document verification, background checks, medical examinations, and an in-person interview at a US consulate. Those selected must also be found eligible and issued a visa or adjust their status by September 30, 2026. The program has been criticized after it was revealed that Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese citizen, obtained lawful permanent residence through a diversity immigrant visa in 2017. Neves Valente is suspected in fatal shootings at Brown University and the killing of an MIT professor. Following the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the program would be paused, citing that Neves Valente 'should never have been allowed in our country'.