A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reopen the 2027 Diversity Visa Green Card Lottery after it was delayed since November 2025 Judge Jinsook Ohta granted a preliminary injunction requiring a 30-day registration period and full processing under standard State Department rules The Trump administration filed an appeal against the court ruling, which could alter the three deadlines set for registration and selectee notification
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department to restore the delayed lottery programme, which offers a pathway to permanent residence in America for nationals from countries that historically send few immigrants to the United States.
Africans have become among the largest beneficiaries of the programme over the years, making the ruling particularly significant for the continent.
How the 2027 Green Card Lottery Was Nearly Cancelled
The trouble began in November 2025, when the State Department announced it was postponing the registration period for the 2027 lottery, with no firm dates given for when it would reopen.
Law firm Red Eagle Law, represented by attorney Curtis Morrison, challenged the delay in court, arguing that without a registration window there could be no applicants, no selections and no functioning programme for the 2027 cycle.
Forbes reports. “The government’s failure to reopen the period resulted in a de facto cancellation of the programme,” Morrison argued.
Judge Ohta agreed and issued a preliminary injunction. Under the court order, the State Department must announce registration details by October, 29, open registration by November, 1, and notify selected applicants by December, 3. The full visa deadline remains September 30, 2027.
“We’re not going to let that happen again with DV-2027,” Morrison said, emphasising that a registration window alone means nothing unless it leads to actual visa processing and entry into the United States.
