H.R. 9457 — Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act

This section states congressional findings on the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, including its statutory basis to promote diversity in permanent immigration, the executive branch's authority for targeted national security or foreign policy restrictions, and the limits of program-wide suspensions without explicit statutory authorization. It sets forth the Act's purposes to reaffirm congressional authority over the program, distinguish targeted restrictions from wholesale suspensions, ensure oversight and transparency, and protect eligible selectees from broad administrative pauses.

This section prohibits the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security from suspending, pausing, or stopping the diversity immigrant visa program on a program-wide basis. It permits country-specific or regional suspensions or temporary suspensions of up to 60 days, following 7 days' advance notice to Congress that includes the scope, rationale, and steps to resume normal operations, with the notice published in the Federal Register. It also protects visa selectees from losing eligibility due to a temporary suspension.