WASHINGTON: Green Card Lottery Program has been suspended by the United States as a consequence of the shooting incident at Brown University, according to US officials.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the perpetrator used the Green Card Lottery Program to enter the US. She indicated that the program’s suspension was a security measure taken by the Trump administration in response to the incident.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery Program, is a US federal program that aims to grant permanent residency to the citizens of countries with the lowest historic immigration rates to the United States.
Each year the program picks almost 50, 000 winners from the lottery who are then granted the status of a permanent resident. The US citizenship application is an opportunity available to them, but only the lucky ones are able to exercise such an option after living and working in the US for a while.
Besides, it is important to point out that prior to this episode, the citizenship lottery was already closed to people from Pakistan. A ban on the lottery program has been the result of the decision, which is now of a temporary nature.
US suspends Afghan visa applications indefinitely following security incident
On November 28, the U.S. Authorities have declared a halt to all Afghan visa requests after a shooting incident in Washington. This determination was taken by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Communicated through social media platforms.
This suspension follows directly after the event in which two members of the National Guard were shot and killed leading to increased security protocols. Officials report that a suspect named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan citizen has been arrested.
Indefinite suspension: All Afghan visa and immigration applications are on hold for an unspecified period.
Security assessment: USCIS indicated it will re-evaluate the security measures and screening processes, for applications to avoid potential future threats.
Current inquiry: U.S. Authorities have signalled that further security protocols are being established in Washington while the probe, into the event progresses.
The shooting event has sparked worries regarding the safety of citizens in the U.S. and the possible dangers linked to the handling of visa requests. Officials have assured the community that halting visa processing is a temporary step taken as the probe into the event continues.
USCI has indicated that the halt will stay active until a thorough security evaluation is finished and additional measures are put in place to protect the procedure.
Officials have also indicated that Afghan visa applications may be reopened after a thorough review and once enhanced security measures are in place.
ALSO READ: New Zealand increases visa fees in Pakistan and 25 other countries
