Computer Glitch Robs Number of Bulgarians of 'American Dream'

Commercial handout image released by The Amercian Dream on 01 October 2009 showing the original US green card. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Hundreds of Bulgarians parted with their "American Dream," over a computer mistake, annulling the results of the green card lottery, the TV channel bTV informed Thursday.

David Donahue, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services has announced the results, published on the Internet, are not valid since due to a computer mistake the names are not a random sample of the applicants.

The American Embassy in Sofia told bTV that, over the mistake, 90% of the lottery winners ended up being people who submitted applications in the first two days of the 30-day deadline to register.

The explanation, however, does not seem to appease the scores of Bulgarians, who feel cheated. A man from the Danube city of Ruse, Iliyan Smirnov, is threatening to sue the US State Department. Thousands have joined in the threat and will be represented by Los Angeles-based attorneys.

The disappointed are united in the Facebook group 22 000 Tears.

Each year about 10 million people across the globe take part in the green card lottery with the winners being granted permanent residency in the US.

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