Diversity visa winners barred from immigrating to the U.S. under COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the Trump administration's travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries can get another chance to reclaim their lost immigrant visas under a new bill.
Rep. Ritchie Torres introduced legislation to reinstate diversity visas in an effort to help thousands of immigrants who were blocked from entering the U.S. under former President Donald Trump's administration.
The congressman gathered with members of the community in Hunts Point to urge the Biden administration to keep its promise to the more than 3,900 immigrants who won diversity visas but were restricted from entering the U.S. under the Trump administration policy that affected people from majority-Muslim countries.
In late February, Biden revoked the ban on new immigrant visa holders. But while he highlighted the plight of the 2020 lottery winners, he didn't say whether he would restore the expired visas.
If passed, Torres' and Chu's bill would additionally allow the State Department to issue diversity visas to people unable to claim or use the visa due to COVID-19.
The lawmakers estimate the bill would benefit 36,000 diversity lottery winners.
The legislation is called the "Keep Our Promise Act." It would let the 3,900 immigrants reclaim their visas, and 17,000 immigrants who applied for diversity visas would have the ability to resume the process.
The proposed legislation seeks to help an estimated 21,000 immigrants from seven countries previously banned by the Trump administration.
