Requesting DV-2020 Processing Extension Beyond 9/30
- Thanks for your interest in helping DV-2020 winners in their pursuit of the American Dream! We ask you to do 2 simple things that would mean a lot to each of us:
- Request DV-2020 extension beyond 9/30 with your Member of House
- Do the same with your Senators (each state has 2)
- Below you will find simple instructions on how to contact and follow up on each and a template you can use for your request.
- Note: Only US Citizens and LPRs (Lawful Permanent Residents) can do this.
Contents
How to Submit Your Request?
To Member of House
- Find your representative here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. After you enter your ZIP, click on the representative name.
- Look for either a feedback form or Feedback/Contact page where you can enter your submission.
To Senator
- Find your senator here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm
- Click on their name. Look for either a feedback form or Feedback/Contact page where you can enter your submission.
How to Follow Up by Phone?
- After sending your message, please follow up by phone in 2-3 days asking whether they have received your message and repeating your request:
- Member of House: Go here Find Your Representative. After you enter your ZIP, click on the representative name. Click Contact. Look for their Washington DC office phone number. This is where you should call to follow up.
- Senator: Call (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request. You can also find phone numbers for all Senators here: Senators of the 116th Congress
- In case you could use some extra guidance, here’s How to Call Your Member of Congress
Message Template
- Copy & paste, then enter your data instead of placeholders:
Dear REPRESENTATIVE_OR_SENATOR_NAME,
My name is FIRST_NAME LAST_NAME, I live at STREET_ADDRESS. My phone number is PHONE_NUMBER.
I have a friend who won in the Diversity Visa Lottery 2020. The DV Lottery was enacted by Congress in 1990 and has since been a way for eligible applicants to lawfully immigrate to the US with their families. There is a catch, however: the winner must have their visa issued before the end of a financial year (9/30).
My friend and their family's visas haven't been issued yet, although they have provided all the required documents. Due to the Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052 that since at least 4/22 blocked most of the legal immigration to the US until 12/31, my friend and their family are facing a possibility of missing out on this tremendous opportunity.
I'm asking you, as my representative in Congress, to change the law and extend the 9/30 deadline for DV-2020 winners into FY-2021. Congress has power to do this, as it was Congress who enacted the DV program in the first place. We really need a legislative solution.
Thank you.
SIGNATURE
More Info
You can find more info on the situation around DV-2020 here: https://curtismorrisonlaw.com/dv