I was disappointed by a recent article by Fox News entitled, “Thousands from Terror-Sponsoring Nations Entering U.S. on Diversity Visas”. Writer Joseph Abrams recommendation to terminate this popular program following the hysteria over the foiled Christmas bomber plot represents the kind of knee jerk reaction that advances the views of nativists and others that seek to block comprehensive immigration reform.

The specific details of the diversity visa (green card) lottery are described elsewhere. In a nutshell, the U.S. State Department sponsors a free random computer drawing each year for 50,000 available permanent resident visas. The goal is to admit more people into the United States from countries that are numerically underrepresented in terms of immigration. This system was put in place according to the terms of Section 203(c) of the Immigration Act of 1990 sponsored in part by Senator Edward Kennedy.

The major requirements are that the green card lottery applicant must be born in a visa-eligible country, be a high school graduate, and pass a visa interview to receive permanent U.S. residency. Then, permanent residents can qualify for U.S. citizenship in 5 years.

Abrams argues that lottery winners armed with only a high school diploma cannot support themselves and are a drain on our economy. But he fails to point out that, according to diversity visa rules, winners must demonstrate they will not become a “public charge” before they can be admitted into the U.S.

He also states that fraud is a major issue, but admits that all visa categories are subject to fraudulent documents and false identities. And since a cottage industry of visa lottery services has emerged to help lottery entrants register, some overcharge or sell useless “VIP” services.

But his major concern is that we risk admitting terrorists if we allow people to enter from countries with known terrorist ties, such as Yemen and Saudi Arabia. To some extent this argument is factual since the 9/11 mastermind Mohammad Atta did enter the U.S. on a diversity visa. However terminating the green card lottery program using this logic would be equivalent to eliminating tourist visas because the Christmas bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmattallab entered the U.S. with one.

In my next article, I describe how we might modify the lottery program to address these concerns.