The visas are distributed on a regional basis, with each region sending fewer immigrants to the US in the previous 5 years receiving more diversity visas.

The bill would have doubled the number of diversity visas available to 110,000 yearly.

The supply of diversity visas goes to the rest first-come, first served.

Since they were first issued in 1995, over 785,000 diversity visas have been issued.

Individuals who receive a diversity visa are free to petition for greencard visas for their family members.

Each year, diversity visas are issued to individuals from countries listed as State Sponsors of Terrorism.

For the 2011 program, 1,842 Iranians, 553 Sudanese, and 32 Syrians were issued diversity visas.

Too few to count in 1980, Bangladeshis surged to 17th place from 42nd in the 1990's, mainly through diversity visas issued by lottery.

Aliens who were or are selected for diversity immigrant visas for fiscal years 2013 or 2014 will be eligible to receive them.

"You're English," Ralph scoffed, "they haven't given an Englishman a diversity visa in ages."