The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced an immediate suspension of the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV1) program after the alleged gunman in the Brown University shooting was found to have entered the United States through the lottery system in 2017.

The suspect, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, who is accused of carrying out the recent shooting, was granted permanent residency in the U.S. under the DV1 program after winning the lottery in 2017. This revelation has sparked a renewed debate over the program’s security risks.

The Diversity Visa program, which was established to diversify the U.S. immigrant pool by admitting up to 50,000 individuals annually from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S., has been the subject of criticism for years, with concerns about national security and potential misuse.

In a statement issued on the social media platform X, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained the decision, citing the need to protect Americans from individuals who may pose a threat to national security.

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“This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” Secretary Noem said. “In 2017, President Trump fought to end this program, following the devastating New York City truck ramming by an ISIS terrorist who also entered under the DV1 program and murdered eight people. At President Trump’s direction, I am immediately directing USCIS to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program.”

The decision to suspend the program marks a significant policy shift, as the DV Lottery has been a legal pathway for thousands of immigrants worldwide seeking to move to the U.S. Immigration advocates have already voiced strong opposition to the move, arguing that the suspension could impact individuals who pose no security threat and who rely on the program for a chance at a better life.

The suspension of the DV program comes amid a broader ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. Critics of the program argue that the random selection process, which is the foundation of the lottery system, could allow individuals with potentially dangerous backgrounds to enter the country without thorough vetting. Supporters, however, emphasize that the program serves as a vital source of diversity and opportunity for those from underrepresented regions of the world.

This move is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies, particularly in light of incidents involving individuals who entered the country through the DV Lottery. While the suspension is seen as a security measure by the administration, it has raised questions about the future of the program and its potential long-term impact on immigration patterns.

As of now, the U.S. government has made it clear that the suspension will remain in place while officials assess the risks associated with the program. However, with immigration advocates promising to challenge the decision, the debate surrounding the DV Lottery is expected to continue in the courts and in the public arena.