US Apologizes for Visa Lottery Error

[scandal 951]

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-Mistakenly-Tells-22000-They-Were-Eligible-for-Visas-121790664.html

The State Department is apologizing for a computer error that led thousands of people to believe they had been selected as finalists in a U.S. immigrant visa lottery. The selection process, involving nearly 15 million visa applicants, will be re-run.

The State Department is making a rare public apology for an embarrassing computer error that has prompted it to re-do its 2012 diversity immigrant visa lottery.

The diversity visa lottery was established by the Congress in 1994 to increase the number of immigrants coming to the country from developing states and other countries with traditionally low rates of immigration to the United States.

Nearly 15 million people, representing about 20 million with family members included, registered late last year for the 2012 computerized lottery under which 50,000 visa winners were to be selected.

State Department officials say the error caused 90 percent of the people selected as visa finalists to have been drawn from applications received on the first two days of the month-long entry process that began last October.

When the error was discovered in recent days, officials decided that the selection was neither random nor fair and would have to be done again.

But they estimate that in the meantime more than 20,000 applicants had been informed erroneously that they had been chosen to move ahead in the process.

In a message posted Friday on the State Department's visa website, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Donahue explained and apologized.

"The computer error that caused this unfair, non-random result has since been corrected," said Donahue. "We sincerely regret any inconvenience or disappointment this problem might have caused. Because this problem unfairly disadvantaged many diversity visa lottery entrants, we will conduct a new random selection."

Donahue said the new selection will be from the original entries, so would-be immigrants will not have to re-apply.

The results of the new selection process are to be posted on the department's visa website by mid-July.

A total of 90,000 applications from the 15 million entrees will be selected, and lottery finalists will then submit more forms on their qualifications.

Ultimately, 50,000 visas will be granted, with other selectees either choosing not to proceed with the process or being screened out for not meeting education, occupation or other requirements.

the error caused 90 percent of the people selected as visa finalists to have been drawn from applications received on the first two days

Moral of the story: apply early!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This is one program that ought to be done away with in favor of qualifications based immigrant visas.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

This is one program that ought to be done away with in favor of qualifications based immigrant visas.

It is based on qualified applicants. If they applied the same educational screen to the family based petitions a lot of people wouldn't get their spouses here. It is meant as a door for qualified applicants that don't have other paths to immigration to have a hope of getting into the US.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It is based on qualified applicants. If they applied the same educational screen to the family based petitions a lot of people wouldn't get their spouses here. It is meant as a door for qualified applicants that don't have other paths to immigration to have a hope of getting into the US.

The qualifications required for the visa lottery is nothing more than a HS diploma or equivalent. Surely, we have enough people with those qualifications and need folks that meet a higher standard. There would still be enough qualified people if the requirement was the equivalent of a BA or BS. Family based petitions ought to be limited as well to spouses, children and perhaps parents. Brothers and sisters ought not to qualify for family based immigration.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I think we should apply a level 7 or great educational requirement to all visas , DV and family. Sure marry someone but you can't bring them or their parents or the kids unless they qualify educationally.

[milimelo 4,554]

The qualifications required for the visa lottery is nothing more than a HS diploma or equivalent. Surely, we have enough people with those qualifications and need folks that meet a higher standard. There would still be enough qualified people if the requirement was the equivalent of a BA or BS. Family based petitions ought to be limited as well to spouses, children and perhaps parents. Brothers and sisters ought not to qualify for family based immigration.

Plenty of winners don't make it past the interview as their education is not on the DOL list in grade 4 or above. Then again, plenty of winners have BA or masters and doctorate degrees.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

IMO they should have allowed those selected to go to the next stage. Then rerun the lottery with a slightly reduced selection size.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think we should apply a level 7 or great educational requirement to all visas , DV and family. Sure marry someone but you can't bring them or their parents or the kids unless they qualify educationally.

Bull. I won't have the government tell me who I can or can't marry and live with. If you can't see the difference between the spouse of a US citizen and an immigrant that has no ties whatsoever to this country, then you can't be helped.

Plenty of winners don't make it past the interview as their education is not on the DOL list in grade 4 or above. Then again, plenty of winners have BA or masters and doctorate degrees.

So what's wrong with limiting the pool of applicants to the latter and make selections based on needed qualifications rather than make a random selection?

[wshc 46]

The qualifications required for the visa lottery is nothing more than a HS diploma or equivalent. Surely, we have enough people with those qualifications and need folks that meet a higher standard. There would still be enough qualified people if the requirement was the equivalent of a BA or BS. Family based petitions ought to be limited as well to spouses, children and perhaps parents. Brothers and sisters ought not to qualify for family based immigration.

I have often seen where liberals look down on people with only a HS Diploma and only consider people of higher education worthy of acceptance in this world. But again the libs are the compassionate ones. Why do we need folks that meet a higher standard as you put it more so than HS graduates? The president keeps telling us how desperately we need the undereducated illegal from Mexico so why don't you libs at least get on the same page in your elitism.

Edited May 15, 2011 by wshc

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I have often seen where liberals look down on people with only a HS Diploma and only consider people of higher education worthy of acceptance in this world. But again the libs are the compassionate ones. Why do we need folks that meet a higher standard as you put it more so than HS graduates? The president keeps telling us how desperately we need the undereducated illegal from Mexico so why don't you libs at least get on the same page in your elitism.

This has nothing to do with liberalism or elitism. This country should employ a smart immigration strategy. The visa lottery is neither smart nor a strategy. It's not in this country's interest to import people based on nothing but luck. And it sure isn't in the interest of this country to import visa frauds. Shouldn't be a secret that winning visa lottery entries are regularly sold to those who can afford them. There are brokers out there making a living by hooking the haves that want to buy a visa up with the have nots who happen to have gotten lucky in the DV lottery. Don't tell me you did not know that.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Visa lottery itself IS an error!

[TBoneTX 46,116]

Visa lottery itself IS an error!

Si, man. And, at the risk of starting a firestorm or beating a dead horse (depending), I personally question allowing affidavits of support, in marriage-based visas. Marriage (even between two typical USCs) is EXPENSIVE, si man.