The announcement was confirmed on Friday, December 19, 2025, through a statement by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing national security concerns and recent incidents involving recipients of the program.
Secretary Noem explained that the decision comes after renewed scrutiny of the lottery, which allows individuals from selected countries to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
Secretary Noem explained that the decision comes after renewed scrutiny of the lottery, which allows individuals from selected countries to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
The move follows a recent deadly shooting at Brown University, where the perpetrator was identified as a former diversity visa recipient who later obtained a green card.
“The Brown University shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, entered the United States through the diversity lottery immigrant visa program (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card. This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” Noem stated.
“The Brown University shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, entered the United States through the diversity lottery immigrant visa program (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card. This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” Noem stated.
She added that similar concerns were raised after a previous terrorist attack in New York City during Trump’s earlier presidency, where the attacker also entered the country via the DV1 program.
The Diversity Visa Lottery Program, launched decades ago, was designed to increase immigration diversity in the United States by allowing citizens from countries with low immigration rates to apply for permanent residency.
The Diversity Visa Lottery Program, launched decades ago, was designed to increase immigration diversity in the United States by allowing citizens from countries with low immigration rates to apply for permanent residency.
However, Trump and his administration have repeatedly criticized the program, claiming it poses security risks.
“In 2017, President Trump fought to end this program following the devastating NYC truck ramming by an ISIS terrorist, who entered under the DV1 program and murdered eight people,” Noem said.
The suspension order takes effect immediately. Noem directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt all processing under the DV1 program while further review and policy measures are considered.
“In 2017, President Trump fought to end this program following the devastating NYC truck ramming by an ISIS terrorist, who entered under the DV1 program and murdered eight people,” Noem said.
The suspension order takes effect immediately. Noem directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt all processing under the DV1 program while further review and policy measures are considered.
“At President Trump’s direction, I am immediately directing USCIS to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program,” she said.
The suspension comes just weeks after Trump announced broader immigration restrictions, including a halt on migration from what he described as “Third World countries” to allow the U.S. system to recover.
The suspension comes just weeks after Trump announced broader immigration restrictions, including a halt on migration from what he described as “Third World countries” to allow the U.S. system to recover.
In a statement on November 28, 2025, he outlined plans to remove noncitizens he considers a threat to the country, terminate federal support for them, and denaturalize individuals believed to undermine domestic stability.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Joe Biden's Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States,” Trump stated.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Joe Biden's Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States,” Trump stated.
He further emphasized that his measures aim to reduce populations he deems disruptive, including those admitted through what he calls an unauthorized immigration process.
Trump framed the suspension as a critical step to resolve what he perceives as long-standing immigration challenges.
Trump framed the suspension as a critical step to resolve what he perceives as long-standing immigration challenges.
“Only reverse migration can fully cure this situation. Other than that, Happy Thanksgiving to all, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for. You won't be here for long,” he added.
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