Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 30 DECEMBER 2025

Green Card Lottery Program Suspended

Cozen O'Connor
Explore more from Cozen O'Connor

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, President Trump announced the suspension of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) (aka Green Card Lottery Program).

United StatesImmigration
Elizabeth A. Olivera
Elizabeth A. Olivera
Frances Rayer
Frances Rayer

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, President Trump announced the suspension of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) (aka Green Card Lottery Program). The DV Program was designed to award approximately 50,000 visas annually and to boost arrivals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. On Friday, December 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum entitled: Hold and Review of Pending USCIS Adjustment of Status Applications Filed by Aliens Under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.  This memorandum went into effect immediately.

The memorandum directs USCIS personnel to:

  1. Place a hold on all pending adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and associated waiver applications for aliens who are applying to adjust to lawful permanent residence under the DV Program pending a comprehensive review; and

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

October 2026 Visa Bulletin Advances EB-5 Filing Date For Mainland China By 4 Years

The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, marking the start of fiscal year 2027 with significant changes to employment-based immigrant visa categories. How will the advancement of priority dates, particularly the substantial four-year leap for mainland China-born EB-5 investors in the Dates for Filing chart, impact eligible applicants seeking adjustment of status benefits?
GlobalImmigration
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

DHS Continues Work Authorization For Ukrainian, Sudanese TPS Beneficiaries; I-9 Guidance Remains Unclear

The Department of Homeland Security has not issued formal determinations for Temporary Protected Status designations for Ukraine and Sudan despite the October 19, 2026 expiration date, creating uncertainty for employers navigating Form I-9 compliance and employment authorization documentation. USCIS states that affected individuals retain TPS protections and work authorization, but has not updated operational guidance to explain how employers should document continued employment eligibility or handle
United StatesImmigration
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

DHS Proposes New OPT Fees: What It Means For F-1 Students, Schools, Employers

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed imposing fees of $70,000 for initial Optional Practical Training periods and $30,000 for subsequent periods including STEM extensions, with schools bearing the direct cost burden. The proposal aims to combat fraud and abuse within the OPT program while protecting U.S. workers, but could significantly impact international student hiring strategies and the availability of OPT talent for employers.
United StatesImmigration
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jackson Lewis P.C.