US Court Orders Reopening of 2027 Green Card Lottery

On October 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta ordered the Trump administration to reopen the 2027 Diversity Visa Green Card Lottery, a significant legal victory for millions of prospective immigrants.

The ruling directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department to restore the delayed lottery program, which benefits nationals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. The trouble began in November 2025 when the administration postponed the registration period without firm dates.

Attorney Curtis Morrison, representing Red Eagle Law, challenged this delay, arguing it hindered the program's functionality. Judge Ohta issued a preliminary injunction, mandating the State Department to announce registration details by October 29, open registration by November 1, and notify selected applicants by December 3, with the full visa deadline remaining September 30, 2027.

The Trump administration has filed an appeal against the ruling, which could impact the deadlines set by the court.