Trump administration appeals against directive to launch DV lottery

BanglaPress Desk: The administration of President Donald Trump has filed an appeal against a court order to resume registration for the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery in the United States. Simultaneously, the government has requested a stay on the court’s order pending the resolution of the appeal. This has created fresh uncertainty regarding the launch of the widely discussed "Green Card lottery."
This information was reported by the American news outlet *Newsweek* on Wednesday (October 21).
Previously, Judge Jinsook Ohta of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California—acting on a lawsuit filed by the immigration law firm "Red Eagle Law"—ordered the resumption of DV lottery registration. Through a preliminary injunction, the judge directed the U.S. Department of State to take the necessary steps to restart the Diversity Visa program for the 2027 fiscal year.
The DV lottery, or "Green Card lottery," provides up to 55,000 diversity visas annually to citizens of countries that have historically sent low numbers of immigrants to the United States. This offers eligible individuals the opportunity to reside in the U.S. permanently. On October 19, the U.S. government appealed the judge’s preliminary injunction and related orders, while also filing a separate motion to stay the implementation of the order while the appeal is pending.
Why did the judge order the resumption of registration?
In November 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that changes were being made to the application process for the DV-2027 lottery and that a registration start date would be announced as soon as possible. However, even after the 2027 fiscal year began on October 1, the registration process had not commenced.
The court observed that without the opportunity to register, it is impossible for anyone to apply for a Diversity Visa. Consequently, the indefinite suspension of the registration process effectively brought the entire program to a halt. Judge Ohta noted that the Department of State failed to provide a sufficient explanation as to how a temporary suspension—announced in November 2025—evolved into an indefinite one. There was no clear explanation as to whether officials had considered the impact on individuals who rely on this program.
According to the judge, in the absence of such an explanation, there are sufficient grounds to deem the decision to suspend the DV-2027 program as arbitrary and irrational.
Court Rejects Government’s Arguments
In the lawsuit, Red Eagle Law argued that halting the DV lottery would lead to a decline in the firm’s client base and revenue—losses that could not be recovered through subsequent litigation.
The judge observed that resuming registration would not impose an undue burden on the government; rather, ordering the administration of the program in compliance with federal law aligns with the public interest.
Conversely, the government argued that the court lacks the authority to mandate the lottery after the designated registration period has passed. Furthermore, the government contended that issuing a nationwide injunction is inappropriate. The judge rejected these arguments, noting that even with a delayed start, it remains possible to fulfill the requirements for implementing the program as mandated by Congress.
When Might Registration Begin?
Under the court-approved revised schedule, the registration period must be announced by October 29. Registration is then slated to open on November 1 and remain active for 30 days. A deadline of December 3 has also been set for notifying selected applicants.
However, the Trump administration’s appeal and its request for a stay of the court’s order have created uncertainty regarding the implementation of this schedule.
Does Registering Guarantee a Green Card?
Participating in the DV lottery registration is not the same as obtaining a visa. Even if selected, applicants must still meet specific eligibility criteria, submit required documentation, undergo an interview, and complete other verification processes. Therefore, while the court’s order opens the door for registration to resume, the outcome of the Trump administration’s appeal remains critical. Applicants should follow the latest official government guidance regarding registration and visa issuance when determining their next steps.
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