Judge denies Southern California firm’s request to revive 2027 Diversity Visa lottery

In San Diego, Red Eagle Law asked a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order compelling the State Department to launch the 2027 diversity visa lottery before the October registration window. Attorney Curtis Morrison claimed the Trump administration had effectively paused the program, leaving his clients without recourse. Judge Jinsook Ohta, a Biden appointee, expressed doubt that the court could remedy a fiscal-year-long injury and suggested the filing was untimely.

Department of Justice lawyer Ian Pike argued the firm lacked legal standing because its grievance was economic, not protected by the Immigration and Nationality Act. Ohta rejected the immediate restraining order but indicated she might entertain a preliminary injunction before the end of September, though she warned it would likely be too late to affect the 2027 lottery schedule. The decision follows a separate ruling that required processing of 2026 lottery applications.