“Pause” for the Green Card Lottery? What Applicants Need to Know Now

The U.S. government under President Donald Trump has unexpectedly temporarily paused the Diversity Visa Program (DV Lottery). The directive was issued on December 19, 2025, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Secretary Kristi Noem and was publicly announced via X (formerly Twitter).

Soon after, headlines began circulating suggesting that the Green Card Lottery had been abolished. However, this interpretation is misleading — and incorrect.

Fact: The DV Lottery has not been terminated. Instead, it has been temporarily suspended in order to review internal procedures. The program itself remains anchored in U.S. law and cannot simply be eliminated.

What Happened? An Overview of the Official Announcement

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced that the processing of applications under the Diversity Visa Program has been temporarily suspended. The stated reason involves security concerns following several high-profile violent crimes discussed in U.S. media.

In one particularly prominent case, a suspect was reportedly linked to a Green Card obtained through the DV Lottery in 2017 — notably during an earlier Trump administration.

These incidents have led to a political reassessment of the program, at least on an administrative level.

Why Was the DV Lottery Paused?

According to official statements, the suspension is a precautionary measure intended to:

• review existing security screening procedures
• evaluate selection and vetting processes
• strengthen public confidence in the U.S. immigration system

Multiple government agencies emphasized on X that the goal is not abolition, but rather improving and refining existing procedures.

Many U.S. media outlets and commentators also point out that while the DV Lottery has long been politically controversial, it remains a firmly established component of U.S. immigration policy.

Pause or Abolition? The Key Difference

This is the most important point for applicants:

❌ No abolition

✅ Temporary pause only

The current directive affects the processing of ongoing cases, not the existence of the program itself. Eliminating the DV Lottery would require:

• a formal legislative amendment
• approval by a majority in the U.S. Congress
• a law that has not been passed

At present, no such step is underway.

What Does the Pause Mean for DV-2026 Winners?

Those most likely affected are already selected winners of the DV-2026 Lottery.

In practical terms, this may mean:

• delays in case processing
• later scheduling of consular interviews
• expanded or more rigorous security checks

Important: Winning the lottery does not automatically expire, at least not until the end of the fiscal year. All selected applicants remain eligible in principle once processing resumes. However, consular interviews must take place by September 30, 2026, which is the legally mandated end of the DV-2026 processing period.

Will the Next Green Card Lottery (DV-2027) Take Place?

Based on current information: Yes.

Although the exact timeline has not yet been announced, several factors strongly indicate that:

• DV-2027 will proceed as scheduled
• the program cannot be suspended indefinitely without legal grounds
• in over 30 years of existence, the DV Lottery has never been skipped or canceled entirely

U.S. immigration attorneys emphasize that canceling an entire lottery year would be legally highly problematic — if not impossible.

Why a Complete Termination Is Legally Unlikely

The Green Card Lottery is codified in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This means:

• the program is required by law
• it cannot be ended by presidential directive alone
• only the U.S. Congress has the authority to abolish it permanently

Since there is currently no draft legislation and no political majority for such a move, a complete termination remains very unlikely.

In fact, upcoming measures — such as a new application fee and a possible mandatory passport scan upload starting with DV-2027 — suggest that lawmakers are seeking to strengthen security while preserving the program, not eliminate it.

Conclusion: Patience for Winners — but No Reason to Panic

Despite dramatic headlines, one thing is clear:

The Green Card Lottery is here to stay.

In summary:

• the DV Lottery has not been abolished
• DV-2026 winners will likely need patience
• security screening may become more stringent
• DV-2027 is expected to take place, although the start date is still pending

How long the Trump administration will maintain this pause remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that ending the Green Card Lottery outright is not legally feasible.

For anyone dreaming of emigrating to the United States, the key message is simple: stay calm — and stay prepared.