The United States government announced on Friday an immediate suspension of the Diversity Visa Lottery program (DV1) following confirmation that the Brown University shooter, identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, entered the country in 2017 through this program.
"This heinous individual should never have been allowed into our country," stated Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, on X.
"Under my leadership, I have directed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt the DV1 program to ensure that no other American is harmed by this disastrous program," she asserted.
Authorities report that Neves Valente arrived in the United States in 2017 with a diversity immigrant visa, allowing him to gain permanent residency.
The suspect in last week's shooting at Brown University's campus, which resulted in two fatalities and several injuries, was of Portuguese nationality. He was found dead Thursday night from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
President Donald Trump reminded the public that he had already attempted to abolish the program in 2017, following the devastating terrorist attack in New York carried out by an ISIS member who also entered under the Visa Lottery, resulting in eight deaths.
Established in 1990, the Diversity Visa Lottery annually grants 55,000 permanent residencies to citizens from countries with low immigration rates to the United States, including Cuba.
With Trump's announced suspension, thousands of applicants worldwide, including many Cubans, will see their hopes of legally emigrating to the U.S. dashed.
This action reinforces the controversial immigration policy of the Republican president, which focuses on prioritizing national security and reforming immigration admission processes that, according to him, "jeopardize the safety of the American people."
In November, the government confirmed that the registration for the 2027 Visa Lottery was not open.
Nevertheless, his policies are under public scrutiny with growing disapproval from both Americans and immigrants residing in the country.
Impact of the Diversity Visa Lottery Suspension
What is the Diversity Visa Lottery program?
The Diversity Visa Lottery program, created in 1990, annually grants 55,000 permanent resident visas to citizens from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.
Why did Trump suspend the Diversity Visa Lottery?
Trump suspended the Diversity Visa Lottery after it was revealed that the Brown University shooter had entered the U.S. through this program. He aims to prioritize national security and prevent future threats.
Who will be affected by the suspension of the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The suspension will affect thousands of applicants worldwide, including many from countries like Cuba, who hoped to legally immigrate to the United States.