A deadly series of shootings at two major U.S. universities has led to a major change in immigration policy. Authorities confirmed that Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national, carried out attacks that resulted in the deaths of multiple people and injuries to several others.
Following the shootings, President Donald Trump directed a pause on the diversity visa lottery program, which allows people from countries with low representation in the United States to apply for permanent residence. The announcement was made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the social media platform X. She stated, “This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” referring to Neves Valente.
The diversity visa lottery program has existed for decades and is part of U.S. immigration law. Each year, it makes up to 50,000 green cards available to people from countries that send fewer immigrants to the United States. Applicants who win the lottery must pass interviews at U.S. consulates and undergo thorough vetting and background checks before being allowed to enter the country.
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Background of the Suspect
Claudio Neves Valente first came to the United States on a student visa to study at Brown University in 2000. According to official records, he took a leave of absence from the university in 2001. Many years later, in 2017, he was issued a diversity immigrant visa through the lottery program and, months later, obtained legal permanent resident status. Public records do not provide details about his activities or whereabouts between leaving Brown University and obtaining his green card.
Authorities reported that Neves Valente was involved in shootings at both Brown University and MIT. The attacks at Brown left two students dead and nine others wounded, while a professor was killed at MIT. Neves Valente was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending the immediate investigation.
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Communities at both universities expressed shock and grief over the tragic loss of life. Officials highlighted that while diversity visa winners undergo vetting similar to other green card applicants, incidents like this raise questions about immigration procedures and the effectiveness of background screening.
Details of the Green Card Lottery and Government Response
The diversity visa program makes up to 50,000 green cards available annually to people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Nearly 20 million people applied for the 2025 lottery, and about 131,000 winners were selected, including spouses of the winners. Portuguese citizens were allocated only 38 slots, showing how highly competitive the program is.
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After the shootings, President Trump acted quickly to pause the diversity visa program, citing national security concerns. Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that immigration policies must prioritize public safety and said tragedies like these should never happen.
The program was created by Congress, which means any suspension could face legal challenges. Applicants selected in the lottery are invited to apply for a green card, attend interviews, and undergo vetting, just like other legal permanent resident applicants. While the lottery is designed to provide opportunities for people from underrepresented countries, officials stated that events like this highlight the importance of careful review and oversight.
The government’s decision to suspend the program has attracted wide attention. Officials clarified that the action was taken directly under President Trump’s direction, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the matter. This move follows a pattern of changing immigration policies after violent incidents, aiming to strengthen public safety measures.