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US State Department Warns About 2017 Green Card Lottery

Jan 30, 2026 January 30, 2026 2 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

The US State Department has issued a warning regarding the 2017 Green Card lottery, clarifying that they do not send notifications via email or text and that fraudulent communications may occur. Participants are advised to check their status only through the official website.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The US State Department's warning aims to protect lottery participants from fraud while clarifying the lottery's procedures.

👥 Key Players

US Department of State MENTIONED
Government agency responsible for foreign affairs
"They oversee immigration policies and procedures, including the Green Card lottery, which is significant for many Iranians seeking to immigrate to the US."

📰 What Happened

The US State Department issued a warning about fraudulent communications regarding the 2017 Green Card lottery, clarifying that they do not notify winners via email or text. Participants are advised to check their status only on the official lottery website.

  • Fraudulent messages may mislead lottery participants.
  • Winning the lottery does not guarantee a visa.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This warning is crucial for Iranian participants who may be vulnerable to scams, affecting their immigration prospects.
🌍 Regional: It underscores the challenges faced by individuals in Iran seeking to immigrate to the US amidst political tensions.
🌐 International: It highlights the US government's efforts to protect its immigration system from fraud, which is relevant for international observers.

📚 Background

The Green Card lottery is a program that allows individuals from countries with low immigration rates to apply for permanent residency in the US. Many Iranians view this as a pathway to escape economic and political challenges.

US immigration policy Fraud in immigration processes
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The US Department of State is a primary source of information regarding immigration and should be considered reliable for official announcements.

The Persian Facebook page of the US Department of State announced that the department never sends 'written letters, emails, or text messages' to the winners of the Green Card lottery. In the announcement, information about the procedures of the 2017 lottery is provided, emphasizing that contacts made via email, letter, or text message with lottery participants are intended for fraud, and US embassies and consulates do not provide lists of accepted applicants. According to the site, the only way to check the status of participants is to visit www.dvlottery.state.gov and refer to the Entry Status Check section of this website. The announcement states that all individuals who participated in the 2017 lottery and received a confirmation number can check their case status starting at 12 PM on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, corresponding to 8:30 PM on Tuesday, 14 Ordibehesht 1395, by visiting the official lottery website at www.dvlottery.state.gov. The announcement also mentions: 'If you have possibly lost your confirmation number, there is a tool on the lottery website that allows you to recover your confirmation number by entering the email you used during registration or other personal information that verifies your identity.' Additionally, the announcement states that 'winning the lottery does not guarantee a visa,' and that 'this selection only means that you meet the application requirements for the lottery visa, and if you are deemed eligible in subsequent stages, you will be granted a visa.' For more information, visit the US virtual embassy website.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 90%

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