Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9457
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T21:30:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to safeguard the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (established under section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) from broad executive suspensions. It seeks to distinguish between targeted restrictions and full program halts, while requiring transparency and congressional oversight to uphold the program's continuation as intended by Congress.
Key Provisions
- Prohibits the Secretary of State or Secretary of Homeland Security from suspending, pausing, or stopping visa issuance under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program on a program-wide basis, except in specified cases.
- Allows limited exceptions, including:
- Country-specific or regional suspensions, following prior notification to Congress.
- Individual case-by-case reviews, delays, or denials based on security, criminal, or eligibility issues.
- Temporary suspensions lasting no more than 60 days, after which issuance automatically resumes, with congressional notice required.
- Mandates that notices to Congress (submitted at least 7 days in advance for certain actions) include details on scope, duration, specific threats, national security or foreign policy rationale, legal authority, and plans to resume normal processing.
- Requires public disclosure of notices in the Federal Register, with exceptions for classified information.
- Ensures that individuals selected for Diversity Immigrant Visas do not lose eligibility due to short-term suspensions.
- Defines "appropriate congressional committees" as the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces new statutory limits on executive discretion regarding the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. It codifies requirements for congressional notification and justification before implementing country-specific or temporary pauses, which were not previously mandated in this form. It also adds automatic resumption after 60-day suspensions and explicit protections for selectees' eligibility, creating clearer boundaries around what constitutes permissible versus impermissible executive action.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Requires additional reporting and justification processes for the Departments of State and Homeland Security when limiting visa processing, potentially increasing administrative workload and coordination with Congress.
- On citizens: Aims to protect eligible Diversity Immigrant Visa selectees from unexpected loss of immigration opportunities due to broad pauses.
- On international relations: May affect U.S. visa processing with specific countries or regions during conflicts or security concerns, while emphasizing targeted rather than wholesale measures.
Main Stakeholders
- Congress (particularly the Judiciary and Foreign Relations/Affairs Committees).
- Executive branch agencies (Departments of State and Homeland Security).
- Individuals selected through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.
- Foreign nationals from countries eligible for the program.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill reinforces Congress's role in overseeing immigration programs by limiting executive authority over program-wide actions, potentially raising questions about the balance of powers between branches. It emphasizes that national security screening can occur without halting the entire program, which could influence future interpretations of executive discretion in immigration matters.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
Cosponsors (29)
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act — issued 2026-06-25 — PDF (6 pages)