The Visa Lottery Program is managed by the Department of State which awards up to 55,000 permanent resident visas a year to applicants from countries with relatively low rates of immigration to the United States compared to other countries, based on data from the previous five years. The visa lottery grants visas based on pure luck to people regardless of family ties, skills, education or to the United States, exposing this country to national security threats such as espionage, terrorism, and criminal refuge. The bipartisan Barbara Jordan Commission in 1995 recommended the elimination of the lottery, since it serves no national interest. This section charts House and Senate bills and joint resolutions on whether or not they increase or decrease the number of lottery visas.

HOUSE BILLS

Decrease Lottery Visas

H.R.3687 - would replace the current visa lottery system (55,000 visas currently focused on nationality and minimum work/educational degree requirements) with a system targeted at applicants with advanced degrees. Specifically, the program would include "qualified immigrants who hold a masters or doctorate degree in the life sciences, the physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering. The end result would be more high-tech and other highly educated workers, possibly in job areas not traditionally affected by H-1B visas. This bill does not affect overall immigration numbers. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors

Decrease Lottery Visas

H.R. 2305 (Security and Fairness Enhancement [SAFE] for America Act of 2009) - would eliminate the visa lottery program, which rewards 50,000 annual green cards based on “random selection” instead of humanitarian need, family connection, or other economic or cultural value to the United States. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) is the bill's main sponsor.
Cosponsors

Increase Lottery Visas

H.R.264 (Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2009) - would increase the visa lottery by doubling the number of diversity visas from 55,000 to 110,000 a year. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) is the bill's main sponsor.
No Cosponsors

There are four forms legislation take:

S. 123 (or H.R. 123) - Bills that must pass both chambers (i.e., House and Senate) and be signed by President to have force of law.

S. Res. 123 (or H.Res. 123) - Measures concerning operation of single chamber; not presented to President for action.

S.J. Res. 123 (or H.J.Res. 123) - Resolutions requiring both chambers’ approval and presentation to President for approval (as with bills [laws enacted by virtue of joint resolutions are not distinguished from laws enacted by bills]); generally used to authorize small appropriations, enact continuing resolutions that provide for government expenditures (absent overarching appropriations law), create commissions or other bodies, or extend legislation already drafted; also used to propose amendments to U.S. Constitution, in which case must be sent to states directly – bypassing Presidential action – for three-fourths’ approval.

S.Con.Res. 123 (or H.Con.Res. 123) - Resolutions requiring both chambers’ approval, but not Presidential action; generally used to address both chambers’ sentiments or deal with issues affecting both chambers.