Why the Diversity Visa Program Matters—And Why Businesses Should Care

As an immigration attorney, I see firsthand the incredible contributions immigrants make to the United States. They bring diversity, talent, and a fresh perspective that strengthens our businesses and communities. Unfortunately, the Diversity Visa (DV) Program—one of the ways immigration fuels this country's success—is under threat.

Recently, Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, dismissed the program as "ridiculous," raising concerns that this longstanding path to a green card could shut down or obstructed through administrative slowdowns. So let's break it down:

• What is the Diversity Visa Program?
• Why is it valuable to the U.S. economy and businesses?
• What risks does it currently face?
• How can businesses benefit from hiring immigrants—and how can Locke Immigration Law help?

What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Program?

The Diversity Visa program is a longstanding U.S. immigration initiative designed to diversify the immigrant population by offering green cards to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S.

Key Facts About the Diversity Visa Program:

• ✅ 55,000 green cards are issued annually
• ✅ Applicants must meet basic qualifications (e.g., high school diploma)
• ✅ Winners undergo standard security checks—no skipping background screenings
• ✅ No requirements for employer sponsorship or family ties in the U.S.
• ✅ Applicants come from underrepresented countries, ensuring a wide mix of nationalities

The goal is simple: Bring in individuals from a broad range of backgrounds who are eager to integrate and contribute to American society—something that has historically worked very well.

Why Businesses Should Care About the Diversity Visa

For American businesses, hiring immigrants isn’t just about filling job vacancies—it’s about gaining a competitive edge through a diverse, globally-minded workforce.

• 🔹 Innovation & Fresh Perspectives – Studies consistently show that diverse workforces drive innovation. Employees from different cultural and educational backgrounds bring fresh ideas and solutions.
• 🔹 Expanding Global Reach – Hiring immigrants with unique language skills and international experience helps companies expand into new markets and better serve diverse customer bases.
• 🔹 Bringing Skills & Expertise – Many Diversity Visa recipients already have educational credentials and specialized skills that can benefit U.S. businesses. Instead of struggling to fill talent gaps, employers can tap into a motivated, work-ready pool of candidates.
• 🔹 Economic Growth & Community Enrichment – Immigrants are active consumers, entrepreneurs, and contributors to local economies. They start businesses, create jobs, and revitalize industries.

Companies that embrace hiring immigrants position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly global economy.

The Risks Facing the Diversity Visa Program

While the DV lottery is still in place today, administrative roadblocks could make it virtually non-functional. Since Trump controls the State Department (which staffs our Embassies) and USCIS (which processes immigration applications domestically), policy shifts could impact the program in several ways:

• 🚨 Intentionally Slow Processing Times – Delays in visa issuance could lead to missed statutory deadlines, effectively disqualifying winners.
• 🚨 Complete Suspension Without Legislative Action – Even if Congress doesn’t formally eliminate the program, the Trump administration could find ways to prevent recipients from ever receiving their green cards.