Ramírez and his parents left Cuba 13 years ago after winning a visa lottery.

On the envelope, applicants should indicate that they need information about the visa lottery.

With the visa lottery, the American people lose since U.S. immigration policy and national security are compromised.

Notice of the visa lottery produced scenes resembling riots at some United States embassies and consulates.

Congress established the visa lottery as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 to create greater diversity among immigrants.

He arrived in the United States from Cuba two years ago, not on a raft but as a winner in a visa lottery.

"We are a very closed community right now," said Ms. Emirgil, whose group recently helped 150 people apply for legal immigration status in the visa lottery.

The visa lottery is roulette, not poker.

It says: '$250 for 100 applications in 1991 visa lottery.

Across the country, immigrants are trying their luck in a visa lottery.