# What the SAFE for America Act Does

This bill would eliminate the diversity visa program, which is a lottery system that currently allows about 55,000 people per year from countries with low immigration rates to the United States to get permanent residency. Right now, if you're from a country that doesn't send many immigrants to America, you can enter a random drawing for a chance to immigrate legally. This bill would completely shut down that program and redirect those visa slots elsewhere in the immigration system.

The practical effect is that people from countries underrepresented in U.S. immigration would lose this pathway to becoming permanent residents. For example, if you're from a country in Africa, Eastern Europe, or other regions with historically lower immigration numbers to America, you would no longer have access to this particular legal immigration route. The bill would take effect on October 1, 2023, meaning no new diversity visas would be issued after that date. The roughly 55,000 visa slots that currently go to diversity immigrants would presumably be reallocated to other immigration categories, though the bill doesn't specify exactly where they'd go.

Supporters of this bill argue it would make immigration more merit-based and security-focused, while critics contend it would reduce diversity in immigration and eliminate a legal pathway that has helped people from underrepresented countries immigrate to America for decades. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee but has not become law.

SAFE for America Act of 2023

Posey, Bill

Security And Fairness Enhancement for America Act of 2023 or the SAFE for America Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the diversity immigrant program, which makes immigrant visas available to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.