A federal judge in San Diego ordered the DOS to reopen the diversity visa (Green Card) lottery for 2027 after the Trump Administration failed to open the program’s registration period on time. The government’s failure to reopen the period culminated in a de facto cancellation of the program, prohibiting people from around the world from applying for permanent residence in the United States.
The diversity visa lottery allows up to 55,000 people around the world to apply for permanent residence, a program which the Trump Administration has openly expressed its opposition to.
The Judge’s order granting preliminary injunction mandates that Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly announce the registration period for the diversity visa lottery by midnight on October 29, 2026, and DOS must open the program by midnight on November 1, 2026 for a period of 30 days.
Read the first order here and the second order modifying the dates here.