7.5 Million To Try Their Luck In U.S. Immigration Lottery

The State Department has received 7.5 million lottery applications from foreign nationals interested in moving to the United States, government officials say.

The diversity lottery - the third of its kind under legislation passed by Congress - seeks to increase immigration from underrepresented parts of the world. Applications were accepted for one month beginning Feb. 12.

In June, a computer will select 55,000 winners at random. Winners and members of their immediate families will be granted permanent resident visas.