'Sitting on suitcases': winners of the green card lottery may not receive immigrant visas

The chance of winning is 1:400. Every year, 22 million people apply for the green card lottery. Wins 50 thousand. Konstantin from Belarus became one of those lucky last year, says "Voice of America".

Photo: Shutterstock

“We sent all the documents, perhaps, back in December. And in early February they answered us: send scanned documents,” says Konstantin. “We had everything ready, so we sent it right away.” We were scheduled for an interview on April 16th. We had already signed up for a medical examination, literally sitting on our suitcases.”

But the interview was canceled. In a similar situation was Mary from Ukraine. Her interview was due to take place in June, and the invitation did not come.

“You live in anticipation for a year and a half, you can’t plan anything,” says Maria. - Neither personal life, nor training, nor work. Because you know that you can leave soon. Why start something here?”

On the subject: Trump promised a 'radical change in US immigration policy'

Konstantin and Maria are the winners of the 2019 lottery. For them, interviews had to take place from October 2019 to September 2020. Interviews began to be canceled in April. First, the consulates were closed for quarantine. Then Donald Trump banned the issuance of immigrant visas for 60 days, and in June he extended the decree until December 31, with the possibility of further extension if necessary.

This means that some of the lottery winners simply do not have time to get visas.

“By law, after September 30, the State Department no longer has the right to issue visas,” says immigration lawyer Ismail Shakhtakhtinsky. - Even if the applicant has fulfilled all the conditions. This is a strict deadline that is not violated.”

The winners of this year's lottery were more fortunate. If the decree is not extended, they will have enough time for an interview. Also, those who played the lottery from the United States did not fall under the ban. As well as those who managed to pass the interview before the closure of the consulates.

“That is, the winners of 2019, who have already passed through the consulate and received a visa in their passport, can go to the United States,” says the lawyer. “The decree does not prohibit them from entering the country.”

The main reason for the suspension of work visas is the level of unemployment caused by the pandemic. According to the White House, Americans themselves must first be provided with jobs.

“We have 20 million unemployed Americans,” says Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. — The unemployment rate is three times higher than before the pandemic. Therefore, there is no reason to allow large numbers of immigrants to enter the country.”

On the subject: Who and what visas can enter the United States during a pandemic

The president has a similar opinion. He repeatedly called for closing the lottery. Human rights activists disagree with him.

“I don’t think policymakers have the right understanding of the green card lottery program,” says Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Migration Forum. “You have to not only win it, but also meet all strict criteria in terms of level of education and professional suitability. People who come to America on such a visa are the most qualified in their country.”

The presidential decree will be reviewed 30 days after signing. The winners of the 2019 lottery do not believe that they will make an exception. They say they no longer count on visas. But they will play the American dream in the future.

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