Trump Suspends Green Card Lottery After Brown University Shooting

President Donald Trump has suspended the U.S. green card lottery after the Brown University shooting. The order came on December 18, 2025. It followed the discovery that the shooting suspect entered the United States through the visa lottery. The move was confirmed in a public statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The action marks one of the toughest steps taken by the administration on legal migration. The Department of Homeland Security said the pause took effect at once. According to reports from AP and Reuters, the White House directed the pause after investigators confirmed the suspect’s immigration history.

Green Card Lottery Suspension Draws Nationwide Attention

The decision targets the Diversity Visa Program. The programme offers up to 50,000 green cards each year. It supports people from countries with low migration levels to the United States. The programme was created by Congress and has existed for decades.

Officials said the suspect, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, used the programme to move to the U.S. in 2017. He later became a legal permanent resident. According to Reuters and AP, the man was linked to shootings at Brown University and MIT. Two students were killed and nine people were hurt. An MIT professor was also killed. Police said the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The pause is expected to spark legal battles. Many lawmakers say the programme cannot be stopped by executive order. They argue that Congress must act. The administration said the pause is necessary for national security. It also said it would review vetting rules linked to the lottery.

Reports from AP note that almost 20 million people applied for the 2025 lottery. Only 38 winners were from Portugal, the suspect’s home country. Winners must pass interviews and full security checks before arriving in the U.S.

What the Pause Means for Immigration Policy Now

The move highlights a wider shift in U.S. immigration policy. The administration has already taken steps against entry from some regions. It has also pushed for large-scale deportations. Officials said recent attacks have increased pressure for stronger controls.

Analysts say the suspension could affect thousands of families. Many applicants have waited years for their chance to immigrate. Groups that support immigration say the pause harms lawful paths to entry. They warn it could reduce U.S. influence worldwide. They also say the move may cause long delays for people already approved.

The White House argues the pause is temporary. It said changes may follow after a full review. According to AP, the Supreme Court will soon hear a separate case on birthright citizenship. This shows the wider push to reshape long-standing immigration laws.

The green card lottery debate is now back at the center of U.S. politics. The suspension has sparked concern and support in equal measure. The coming months will show how the policy affects the wider immigration system and the future of legal entry to the United States.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the green card lottery?

The green card lottery is a U.S. immigration programme. It offers up to 50,000 visas each year by random selection. It is meant for countries with low migration to the U.S.

Q2: Why did President Trump suspend the programme?

The programme was paused after the Brown University shooting. Officials confirmed the suspect entered the U.S. through the lottery. The administration said the pause is for security review.

Q3: How many people apply for the lottery each year?

According to AP and Reuters, nearly 20 million people applied for the 2025 lottery. More than 131,000 were selected with family members. Only a fraction reach the final step for visas.

Q4: Will the suspension face legal challenges?

Experts say yes. The programme was created by Congress. Courts may need to decide how much power the president has to pause it.

Q5: Was the suspect already a permanent resident?

Yes. Officials said he received permanent status in 2017. He later became the main suspect in the Brown University and MIT attacks.