US Lawmaker Moves to End Diversity Visa Lottery

A United States congressman has introduced legislation seeking to end the Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, which offers a route to permanent residency in America.

Texas Representative Keith Self announced the proposal, claiming the programme has weaknesses in identity checks and is vulnerable to fraud.

“I just introduced a bill to terminate the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery,” Self said, arguing that the programme has inadequate verification measures.

The programme currently provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.

Bill Seeks to Remove Visa Programme

Legislative documents show that the proposal would amend the US Immigration and Nationality Act by removing the section establishing the diversity visa programme.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for consideration.

It could also be assigned to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, which handles immigration-related matters.

If the proposal progresses, it would require approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate before reaching the President for approval.

The bill states that its purpose is to terminate the diversity immigrant visa programme.

Visa Applicants Face Uncertainty

The proposal comes amid ongoing legal and policy disputes surrounding the diversity visa programme and the processing of applications.

In August, a federal court issued a ruling that temporarily blocked several Trump administration policies affecting visa processing and issuance.

The US State Department also temporarily suspended the issuance of all Diversity Visas while reviewing its screening and vetting procedures.

The suspension left applicants uncertain about their applications as the September 30 deadline for the DV-2026 programme approached.

Kenyans Among Programme Applicants

The Diversity Visa Lottery attracts thousands of applicants from Kenya hoping to secure opportunities to live and work permanently in the United States.

The programme selects eligible applicants through a lottery system, although selection does not automatically guarantee a visa.

Applicants must still meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and complete the required screening and application procedures.

The proposed legislation would remove the programme from US immigration law if it completes the legislative process and becomes law.