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HR9457119th Congress

Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act

Sponsored By: Representative Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

Introduced

Summary

Limits on program-wide suspensions of the Diversity Visa Program. This bill would bar broad or indefinite pauses and require targeted, transparent actions plus congressional notice when visa processing is limited.

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  • Selectees and applicants: Would be protected from losing eligibility during a temporary suspension up to 60 days and would see automatic resumption after that period.
  • Executive branch agencies: Could still impose country-specific or regional suspensions and use case-by-case delays or enhanced screening, but must notify Congress and publish notice in the Federal Register, with classified annexes allowed.
  • Congress and oversight: Sets a 7-day pre-notice rule for country-specific actions and defines “appropriate congressional committees” to include the House and Senate committees on judiciary and on foreign affairs, increasing transparency and oversight.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Short Diversity Visa pause and protection

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary pause Diversity Visa issuance for up to 60 days. If enacted, the pause would automatically end 60 days after it starts. If enacted, people who already have an issued Diversity Visa would not lose eligibility because of that temporary pause. If enacted, agencies must notify Congress before using this short pause authority.

Ban on program-wide Diversity pauses

If enacted, the bill would bar the Secretary from suspending, pausing, or stopping the entire Diversity Visa program except in narrow cases listed in the bill. If enacted, allowed exceptions include country or regional pauses with congressional notice, case-by-case screening, and a temporary pause up to 60 days. If enacted, this would protect general program continuity for most Diversity Visa applicants.

Case-by-case Diversity Visa screening

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary delay, deny, or order extra screening for individual Diversity Visa applicants. If enacted, this authority would apply only when there are individualized security, criminal, or eligibility concerns. If enacted, affected applicants could face longer processing or denial based on those specific findings.

Country or regional Diversity Visa pauses

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary suspend or limit Diversity Visa issuance for a specific country or region. If enacted, the agency must notify Congress at least 7 days before the pause and publish the notice in the Federal Register, except for classified annexes. If enacted, applicants from affected countries or regions could see their Diversity Visa processing delayed or stopped while the pause lasts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

    MS • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2026

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 7/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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