This bill would restrict the executive branch's ability to suspend the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which provides immigration opportunities to applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The legislation prohibits the Secretary of State or Homeland Security from pausing or stopping the program entirely, though it allows for targeted restrictions on specific countries or regions, case-by-case denials based on individual security concerns, and temporary suspensions lasting no more than 60 days. When implementing any country-specific restrictions or temporary pauses, the executive branch must notify Congress within seven days with detailed explanations of the threat, the national security or foreign policy rationale, and steps to resume normal processing, with this information published in the Federal Register. The bill also protects individuals already selected for diversity visas from losing their eligibility due to broad administrative pauses. This legislation is aimed at congressional Democrats who support the diversity visa program and want to prevent future administrations from indefinitely halting the program without explicit legislative authorization.
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