A lawmaker’s announcement that he introduced a repeal bill does not itself change immigration law or cancel an individual case. Court orders, agency processing instructions, and any legislation that actually becomes law must be evaluated separately.
What was announced?
In an October 22, 2026 press release, Representative Keith Self of Texas announced that he introduced legislation to repeal the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery. The release describes the program as a pathway offering permanent residence to up to 55,000 applicants annually from countries with historically lower immigration to the United States.
Self’s announcement also criticizes judicial intervention following the administration’s earlier suspension of the program. Those statements express the sponsor’s position. They should not be treated as a court finding about every applicant or proof that the program has already been repealed. Read the sponsor’s official announcement ↗
Has the announcement ended the lottery?
No—the act of introducing a bill does not repeal a program. A proposal must move through the legislative process and become law before it can operate as a statutory repeal. In the ordinary process, the House and Senate must approve the same legislation before it goes to the President; constitutional procedures also govern vetoes and overrides. U.S. House explanation of the legislative process ↗
The source reviewed for this bulletin is an announcement of introduction, not an enacted repeal. We have not independently reviewed the official bill text or verified its latest congressional action record. Accordingly, this article does not assign a bill number, predict passage, or claim that pending cases would be protected or cancelled under particular transition rules.
What is the Diversity Visa program?
The State Department administers this immigrant-visa program for people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Its instructions describe an annual allocation of up to 55,000 immigrants. Eligibility, registration, selection, and final visa approval are separate stages; a lottery entry is not a green card.
Applicants should use the instructions for the correct program year. A prior year’s eligibility list or calendar is not a substitute for a newly announced registration period. Official Diversity Visa instructions ↗
Do not confuse the repeal proposal with processing litigation
The sponsor’s release refers to a California court directing reinstatement of the program after an administrative suspension. Separately, the State Department’s dated August 31, 2026 update says the December 2025 issuance pause was no longer in effect as of August 28, 2026, pursuant to a court order in Medani et al. v. Trump et al. The page retains older pause-related text below that update, making it especially important to read dated updates in context. State Department issuance update ↗
Ending a pause, opening a registration window, selecting entrants, issuing visas, and repealing a statute are different actions. This bulletin does not confirm that a new entry window is open or establish a DV-2027 registration date. Check the current State Department instructions and any case-specific consular communication before acting.
What should clients do now?
- Confirm your program year and stage. Are you considering an entry, already selected, awaiting an interview, or already admitted as a permanent resident? Those situations raise different questions.
- Keep your records. Preserve your confirmation number, application copies, notices, and official correspondence. Do not abandon an existing appointment or deadline solely because of a social-media headline.
- Follow the official entry process. State Department guidance requires electronic entries during the specified registration period, prohibits late or paper entries, and disqualifies multiple entries for the same person in one registration period. Retain your own confirmation number. Official entry guidance ↗
- Watch the source and date. A screenshot of an introduced bill is not a notice that a law has taken effect. Before relying on a claimed repeal, ask for the enacted law and its effective-date provisions.
Protect yourself from lottery scams
The State Department warns about fraudulent emails and letters that impersonate the government. Check selection through the official Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov. A private service cannot improve your odds of selection. Do not provide false information, add fictitious family members, or let a preparer withhold your confirmation number. Verify payment instructions through official government sources before sending money. State Department fraud warning ↗
DFW’s perspective: stay informed without acting on rumors
A repeal proposal deserves attention because it could affect an important immigration pathway if enacted. It is also important to distinguish political advocacy from a legal change that applies to your case. The effects of any future law would depend on its final language, effective date, and applicable court rulings.
DFW & Associates partners with immigration attorneys throughout the United States to assist clients in navigating complex immigration laws and processes. We can help organize your documents and questions for review by licensed counsel. Neither an entry preparer nor an attorney can guarantee lottery selection or visa approval.
Have questions about your immigration options?
Prepare a clear overview of your goals and any official notices you have received.
Book a consultation ↗Online: $100 for 30 minutes. In person: $250 per hour. If you face an urgent deadline, call the office rather than waiting for the next online appointment.Sources & credits
Original DFW reporting and client context based on the sponsor’s official announcement and government guidance. The Facebook photo supplied by the reader was not directly accessible; the corresponding public post was identified, and the announcement was verified on the Representative’s official website.
This dated bulletin is not a live legislative tracker. Government instructions and court rulings can change. Individual eligibility and the effect of any future law require case-specific review. Legal advice and representation are provided by retained licensed attorneys.