Homeland Security Secretary Noem Pauses Diversity Visa Program Following Brown University Shooting
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem paused the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program following the Brown University shooting, stating the alleged shooter should not have entered the U.S.
Overview
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suspended the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, directing USCIS to pause it to enhance national security and protect American citizens.
- The suspension was prompted by recent shootings at Brown University, where two students were killed and nine wounded, and the killing of an MIT professor.
- Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national, is suspected in these incidents, reportedly gaining legal permanent resident status in 2017 via the Diversity Visa program.
- Secretary Noem explicitly stated the alleged shooter, Valente, should not have entered the U.S., directly linking the Diversity Visa program to national security concerns.
- The program, which saw nearly 20 million applicants for 2025, is now halted and faces potential permanent suspension, impacting over 131,000 selected individuals.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by presenting a balanced view of the diversity visa program's suspension. They include both the administration's rationale, such as concerns about vetting, and critical perspectives, like the argument that it constitutes collective punishment. This approach provides readers with comprehensive context and diverse viewpoints on the policy change.
"The pausing of the diversity visa program is the latest step by the Trump administration to restrict immigration and travel from countries or regions it deems problematic following national security events in the U.S."
Associated Press"The Trump administration is expected to continue enforcing its strict immigration policies, including revoking additional green cards and visas."
Newsweek"The move is almost certain to invite legal challenges."
Chicago Tribune"The suspect, a Portuguese man who was found dead on Thursday, entered the country through the diversity lottery immigrant visa programme (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card."
BBC News"Noem said the suspected shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, entered the United States through the program in 2017 and was issued a green card."
CBS News"The move is almost certain to invite legal challenges."
Associated PressArticles (24)
Center (6)
FAQ
Secretary Noem directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to pause the DV Program citing national security concerns after a suspected perpetrator in shootings at Brown University and MIT — Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national — was reported to have obtained legal permanent resident status in 2017 through the Diversity Visa program; she stated the alleged shooter "should not have entered the U.S." and linked the program to the incidents.
The suspect identified in reporting is Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national who is reported to have gained legal permanent resident status in 2017 after being selected through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.
The pause affects over 131,000 individuals who had been selected for the Diversity Visa Program (DV-2025), and the program had nearly 20 million applicants for 2025; the annual DV program normally issues up to 55,000 visas but selection does not guarantee a visa.
Officially, the DV-2025 program has ended for its fiscal year and, by law, selectees are eligible only during the fiscal year they were chosen; the program typically makes more selections than available visas (up to 55,000 annually) because not all selectees qualify or pursue visas.
Following the DHS pause, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was ordered to pause the program to review national security risks; this could result in a temporary halt or permanent suspension, delaying or preventing interviews and visa issuance for selected applicants, though statutory limits and Department of State processing rules for DV-2025 remain applicable until changed by policy or law.
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