Diversity Visa Lottery

The Department of Homeland Security’s Secretary has the authority to grant parole into the United States for foreign individuals in urgent medical or humanitarian situations or during emergencies. Humanitarian Parole is typically considered a final opportunity for entry into the US for individuals who do not qualify for a visa through standard means. The evaluation process for these requests is rigorous, with approximately three-quarters of humanitarian parole applications rejected. It is granted on a case-by-case basis and should not be used to bypass regular visa procedures or applications for refugee status. To illustrate the various situations in which humanitarian parole may be used, below we can provide a few case studies from our own experience. For example, after an encounter at the airport in the US, one client was paroled into the United States for one month. But he was not given a copy of his Record of Sworn Statement…

We have just posted an in-depth article on this site about the various types of Diversity Lottery refusals – and how to prevent or challenge them.  At least 30,000 individuals go through Diversity Visa interviews every year – and don’t receive the visas.  Putting aside the approximately $10,000,000 in processing fees pocketed by the Department of State from unsuccessful applicants every year and millions more spent by these applicants in medical exams, travel, etc…, the article spotlights the veritable minefield of potential reasons for refusal.  One would think that the Lottery aspect of the Diversity Visa Program only applies to the selection – competing to be one of the less than 1% selected. But what many winners find is that even after selection the “Lottery” elements of luck and chance continue right up until September 30: until the visa is issued or denied or the application is not acted upon…