Latest news with #DiversityVisa
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Don't make immigrants pay just to enter a visa lottery
The House Judiciary Committee unveiled a budget bill last month containing a provision designed, much like poll taxes, to undermine access to the Diversity Visa Program and disproportionately impact immigrants of color. Further, the proposed provision weaponizes the program so that our U.S. government can fleece vulnerable people primarily from the Global South — and particularly from Africa. This is personal for me for multiple reasons. I run an immigration law firm that represents Diversity Visa selectees. Some of my amazing paralegals are themselves former Diversity Visa selectees. On top of that, I am a candidate for Congress in the seat currently held by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a member of this misguided committee. Issa's committee wants to charge Diversity Visa entrants at least $250 to enter the lottery. If each of the 20 million qualified entries received for the fiscal 2025 program were accompanied by $250, the U.S. could raise $5 billion. While that new revenue might sound great to a teenager working for DOGE, it does not account for those from whom the funds would come: some of the poorest people on earth. This is wrong. I once had a client, a single African woman who was selected but did not have the money for the medical exam, much less the Diversity Visa application fee. Her parents did not want her to lose the opportunity, and so they sold the land on which they had planned to build a home just to pay for the medical exam and $330 application so she could attend the immigrant visa interview. It is easy to forget that many people in this world have incomes of $12 per week, which comes to about $600 per year. The 'get in line' crowd always omits how few and narrow paths there are to immigrate to the U.S., and how relatively expensive those paths already are. The Diversity Visa program has led to a broader mix of nationalities represented in the U.S. immigrant population, creating a nation better equipped to understand and relate to the diversity of the world. Under the program, the U.S. issues visas specifically for immigrants who are natives of countries and regions from which fewer than 50,000 immigrants came to the U.S. over the previous five years. The program is responsible for the largest percentage of African and Black immigration to the U.S. The luckiest of the selectees are granted immigrant visas and granted admission to enter the U.S, automatically becoming lawful permanent residents who may live and work in the country indefinitely. Hopeful immigrants must submit entries each fall; they find out whether they 'won' by checking the State Department's website. Diversity Visa entrants for fiscal 2026 just recently got their results; with just shy of 20 million entrants this year, an entrant for 2026 had less than a 0.025 percent chance to be selected. From there, due to overselection, only about half of those selected are issued visas. It is in that context that we cannot, ethically or morally, ask the poorest families on earth to spend $250 — nearly half their annual income — just for a negligible chance to be selected in the program. This would essentially constitute mass fraud. Immigration policy should be used as diplomatic tool to show other countries how great and fair good government can be. Instead, House Judiciary Committee Republicans are choosing to use immigration policy as a weapon to inflict harm on our country's credibility and reputation. The U.S. is better than this. I pray that Americans stand up and say no to these misguided proposals. Curtis Morrison is a California-based immigration attorney and candidate for Congress in California's 48th Congressional District. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Don't make immigrants pay just to enter a visa lottery
The House Judiciary Committee unveiled a budget bill last month containing a provision designed, much like poll taxes, to undermine access to the Diversity Visa Program and disproportionately impact immigrants of color. Further, the proposed provision weaponizes the program so that our U.S. government can fleece vulnerable people primarily from the Global South — and particularly from Africa. This is personal for me for multiple reasons. I run an immigration law firm that represents Diversity Visa selectees. Some of my amazing paralegals are themselves former Diversity Visa selectees. On top of that, I am a candidate for Congress in the seat currently held by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a member of this misguided committee. Issa's committee wants to charge Diversity Visa entrants at least $250 to enter the lottery. If each of the 20 million qualified entries received for the fiscal 2025 program were accompanied by $250, the U.S. could raise $5 billion. While that new revenue might sound great to a teenager working for DOGE, it does not account for those from whom the funds would come: some of the poorest people on earth. This is wrong. I once had a client, a single African woman who was selected but did not have the money for the medical exam, much less the Diversity Visa application fee. Her parents did not want her to lose the opportunity, and so they sold the land on which they had planned to build a home just to pay for the medical exam and $330 application so she could attend the immigrant visa interview. It is easy to forget that many people in this world have incomes of $12 per week, which comes to about $600 per year. The 'get in line' crowd always omits how few and narrow paths there are to immigrate to the U.S., and how relatively expensive those paths already are. The Diversity Visa program has led to a broader mix of nationalities represented in the U.S. immigrant population, creating a nation better equipped to understand and relate to the diversity of the world. Under the program, the U.S. issues visas specifically for immigrants who are natives of countries and regions from which fewer than 50,000 immigrants came to the U.S. over the previous five years. The program is responsible for the largest percentage of African and Black immigration to the U.S. The luckiest of the selectees are granted immigrant visas and granted admission to enter the U.S, automatically becoming lawful permanent residents who may live and work in the country indefinitely. Hopeful immigrants must submit entries each fall; they find out whether they 'won' by checking the State Department's website. Diversity Visa entrants for fiscal 2026 just recently got their results; with just shy of 20 million entrants this year, an entrant for 2026 had less than a 0.025 percent chance to be selected. From there, due to overselection, only about half of those selected are issued visas. It is in that context that we cannot, ethically or morally, ask the poorest families on earth to spend $250 — nearly half their annual income — just for a negligible chance to be selected in the program. This would essentially constitute mass fraud. Immigration policy should be used as diplomatic tool to show other countries how great and fair good government can be. Instead, House Judiciary Committee Republicans are choosing to use immigration policy as a weapon to inflict harm on our country's credibility and reputation. The U.S. is better than this. I pray that Americans stand up and say no to these misguided proposals. Curtis Morrison is a California-based immigration attorney and candidate for Congress in California's 48th Congressional District.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US Diversity Visa 2026 results are out: How to check status, and what's next
The US Department of State has officially released the results for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program 2026, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. Starting May 3, 2025, applicants can check their selection status online at the official Entrant Status Check portal: This portal will remain accessible until at least September 30, 2026. Understanding the Diversity Visa Program Up to 55,000 immigrant visas are granted each year under the Diversity Visa Program to citizens of nations with historically low immigration rates to the US. The registration period for the DV-2026 cycle ran from October 2 through November 7, 2024. No late or paper entries were accepted during this window; applicants had to submit their entries electronically. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump Read more: 7 national parks that are not only about wildlife and safaris How to check your DV-2026 status To determine if you've been selected: Visit the official Entrant Status Check portal: Enter your unique confirmation number, last/family name, and year of birth. Complete the CAPTCHA verification to access your status. It's crucial to note that the US Department of State does not send selection notifications via email, phone, or postal mail. The only official method to check your status is through the Entrant Status Check portal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Next steps for selected applicants Being selected in the DV Lottery does not guarantee a visa. Selected individuals must: Submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application form. Attend a visa interview at a US Embassy or consulate. Provide necessary documentation and undergo medical examinations. Applicants are advised to prepare thoroughly and ensure all requirements are met to increase their chances of a successful visa issuance. Read more: 10 places not to miss on a Kerala trip Beware of scams With the announcement of DV-2026 results, there's an increased risk of fraudulent schemes. Applicants should be cautious of: Unsolicited emails or messages claiming selection and requesting payment. Websites mimicking the official DV Lottery portal. Always rely on the official website for accurate information and updates. For people all throughout the world, the DV Lottery is a singular chance to live the American dream. For those chosen, it marks the start of their path to permanent residency in the United States. To effectively navigate the procedure, keep yourself informed, be on the lookout for scammers, and adhere to established standards. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- General
- Business Standard
US Diversity Visa 2026 results out: How to check green card selection
The US Department of State has released the results of the DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery, often known as the Green Card Lottery. Applicants who submitted their entries between October 2 and November 7, 2024, can now check if they have been selected through the Entrant Status Check portal. The Diversity Visa (DV) Programme, run by the US State Department, makes 55,000 immigrant visas available every year. Spouses and children can be included in the application. However, nationals from countries with high immigration rates to the United States, including India, China, and Brazil, are not eligible this year. How to check your result To see if you have been selected, you must visit the official DV Lottery website and enter the following details: Confirmation number Last name Also Read Year of birth The portal will remain open for result access until September 30, 2026. No emails or letters—watch out for scams The US Department of State has warned that it does not send emails or letters to notify entrants. 'For those checking their status, remember we do not send selection notifications by email or post,' the department said. 'Entrants must check their status themselves using the online portal.' Officials said that any message asking for money or personal details should be treated as a scam. What happens after selection Being selected in the DV Lottery does not guarantee you will get a visa. It only means you may apply for one. Since the number of visas is limited and processed in order, applicants are encouraged to act without delay. Those selected should: < Complete Form DS-260, the immigrant visa application, through the Immigrant/Diversity Visa portal < Wait for a notification about an interview appointment from a US Embassy or Consulate < Prepare for the visa interview, during which eligibility will be reviewed If the visa is granted, successful applicants will be allowed to travel to the United States as permanent residents and receive their Green Card. Lost your confirmation number? If you have misplaced your confirmation number, you can recover it through the 'Forgot Confirmation Number' tool available on the DV Lottery website. For any queries, applicants can visit the Diversity Visa Instructions page or contact the Kentucky Consular Center at kccdv@ Messages should include the full name, date of birth, and case number. Important dates for DV-2026 Visa application period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 Result access ends: September 30, 2026 Eligibility and countries excluded this year To qualify for the DV-2026 programme, applicants must have been born in countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Nationals of the following countries are not eligible for DV-2026: Bangladesh Brazil Canada China (including Hong Kong SAR) Colombia Cuba Dominican Republic El Salvador Haiti Honduras India Jamaica Mexico Nigeria Pakistan Philippines South Korea Venezuela Vietnam
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
US Diversity Visa Program: What's the future of the Green Card lottery under Trump?
Listen to article As President Donald Trump embarks on his second term after his re-election in November 2024, the future of the US Diversity Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, hangs in the balance. Trump, a long-time critic of the program and diversity initiatives in general, has voiced strong opposition to the Diversity Visa Program. What is Diversity Visa (DV) Program/ Green Card Lottery? The Diversity Visa (DV) Program grants 55,000 visas each year to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the US, including Germany. While the chances of being chosen are slim, the program is seen as a more accessible option for potential immigrants, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent or two years of work experience within the last five years. Trump's stance on the Diversity Visa Program has been clear. He has labeled it the 'Democrat Lottery' and tied it to concerns over terrorism. He has called for a shift toward a merit-based immigration system and even sought to terminate the program. Though there were no major legislative changes during his first term, the Trump administration did introduce some restrictions, such as passport requirements, which disproportionately affected low-income applicants. Looking ahead to his second term, it remains to be seen whether Trump will intensify his efforts to eliminate the Diversity Visa Program. He has expressed his desire for a merit-based immigration system, but has yet to provide details on how such a system would operate. Creating such a system would require comprehensive legislation from Congress, which would fundamentally overhaul the US immigration system. Should Trump succeed in eliminating the Diversity Visa Program, it would close off a significant immigration route for many individuals from countries. Although the program's future is uncertain, there are likely to be additional restrictions or alterations to its structure, meaning potential applicants must be prepared for a potentially tougher immigration process. For those relying on the Green Card Lottery, seeking legal counsel to navigate the complex and evolving immigration landscape will be essential as the policy landscape changes and becomes more restrictive. This was not the first time Trump had voiced his opposition to the Diversity Visa Lottery. In August 2017, he threw his support behind the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, which sought to abolish the program. The RAISE Act proposed drastic reductions to legal immigration and introduced a merit-based system for awarding green cards, a proposal that faced opposition from various factions within Congress. Despite Trump's calls for an end to the program, the likelihood of Congress passing legislation to eliminate the lottery remains uncertain. The Diversity Visa Lottery has survived several attempts to repeal it in the past. Additionally, any legislation to abolish the program would not impact the 2019 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, as the registration period for that year's lottery was already open.
