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Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act

USA119th CongressHR-9457| House 
| Updated: 6/25/2026
Yvette D. Clarke

Yvette D. Clarke

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (28)
Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Analilia Mejia (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Greg Casar (Democratic)Christian D. Menefee (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to protect the integrity of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, a congressionally authorized initiative designed to promote diversity in lawful permanent immigration. Congress finds that program-wide or indefinite suspensions of this program exceed routine administrative discretion without explicit statutory authorization, undermining congressional intent and due process for selectees. Therefore, the legislation seeks to reaffirm congressional authority over the program and specifically prohibits the Secretary of State or Homeland Security from suspending, pausing, or stopping the issuance of Diversity Immigrant Visas program-wide. However, the bill allows for limited exceptions, such as country-specific or regional suspensions , case-by-case delays based on individualized security concerns, or a temporary program suspension not exceeding 60 days . Any such limitation requires prior notification to appropriate congressional committees, detailing the scope, rationale, and legal authority. This notification must also be publicly disclosed, ensuring transparency and accountability , and protects Diversity Immigrant Visa selectees from losing eligibility due to a temporary suspension.
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Timeline
Jun 25, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 25, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • June 25, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 25, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act

USA119th CongressHR-9457| House 
| Updated: 6/25/2026
This bill aims to protect the integrity of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, a congressionally authorized initiative designed to promote diversity in lawful permanent immigration. Congress finds that program-wide or indefinite suspensions of this program exceed routine administrative discretion without explicit statutory authorization, undermining congressional intent and due process for selectees. Therefore, the legislation seeks to reaffirm congressional authority over the program and specifically prohibits the Secretary of State or Homeland Security from suspending, pausing, or stopping the issuance of Diversity Immigrant Visas program-wide. However, the bill allows for limited exceptions, such as country-specific or regional suspensions , case-by-case delays based on individualized security concerns, or a temporary program suspension not exceeding 60 days . Any such limitation requires prior notification to appropriate congressional committees, detailing the scope, rationale, and legal authority. This notification must also be publicly disclosed, ensuring transparency and accountability , and protects Diversity Immigrant Visa selectees from losing eligibility due to a temporary suspension.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 25, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 25, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • June 25, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 25, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Yvette D. Clarke

Yvette D. Clarke

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (28)
Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Analilia Mejia (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Greg Casar (Democratic)Christian D. Menefee (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted