- Terry Clarice, a Kenyan living in the US, warned Green Card Lottery winners against making major financial decisions before completing the immigration process
- Clarice cautioned that some applicants sell land and valuable property too early, risking financial ruin if they ultimately fail to relocate
- The Kenyan woman also flagged missing personal documents as a common pitfall that could derail preparations at a critical stage
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A Kenyan woman based in the United States has stepped forward with a stark warning for those who have won the Green Card Lottery, urging them not to let excitement cloud their judgement before the process is complete.
Source: TikTok
Terry Clarice shared her caution in a TikTok video on Sunday, October 19, 2026, spelling out three common errors she believes cost some Kenyans dearly during the Diversity Visa Programme journey.
Her central message was simple: selection is only the beginning, not the finish line.
"This Green Card, once you get it, does not mean it is a free ticket to come here. You have to go through a very hectic process. The process is hard. Some people usually say they never underwent that process, but that is a lie. It is a long, stressful process. So I want to advise you on one or two things," she said.
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What to avoid after winning a green card
Clarice's first warning centred on the premature disposal of assets. She said some winners become so convinced that relocation is guaranteed that they begin selling land and property to fund their preparations, without yet knowing whether they will clear all the requirements.
"One of the mistakes people make is selling property. You should not do that before you have completed the process. You may sell that land and not even go abroad, and end up with depression. It is a very stressful process," she warned.
Her second piece of advice involved personal documents. Clarice noted that applicants sometimes discover far too late that their records are incomplete, and that parents face compounded stress when their children also lack the necessary paperwork.
She used school certificates as a practical example, pointing out that those who left school without clearing their dues or obtaining their documents need to resolve those issues long before they begin preparing to travel.
"The next mistake is that you do not have documents, and maybe your children also do not have some. Maybe you never cleared from school, and some of those things are needed. Do not delay until the last minute," she said.
Clarice's third point was about timing. She urged applicants to treat preparation as a continuous exercise from the moment they first apply, rather than scrambling once they receive confirmation of selection.
She acknowledged that winning is a matter of luck, but argued that being caught unprepared after the second letter arrives is an avoidable mistake.
"From the first letter, there are higher chances that you may be put in the lottery and win because it is about luck. The problem comes in when you have received a second letter but you are not prepared," she explained.
US judge orders reopening of 2027 green card lottery
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about a federal judge’s order directing the US State Department to announce registration dates for the delayed 2027 Green Card Lottery.
The ruling could give eligible Kenyans another opportunity to seek permanent residence in the United States.
The registration period has not yet opened, and the department must publish official dates and instructions.
The court ordered the window to remain open for at least 30 days, giving prospective applicants time to enter.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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