US immigrant visas plunge 50% under Trump policies

October 19, 2026 (MLN): Legal immigration to the United States has fallen by nearly half following sweeping visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, with immigrant visa issuances dropping to 26,000 in February from a pre-administration monthly average of 52,000, The New York Times reported, citing the latest available government data.

The decline followed a series of travel restrictions, visa suspensions and tighter entry requirements introduced late last year and early this year.

The measures affected applicants from dozens of countries, with immigration from Muslim-majority nations plunging by more than 90%, as reported by APP.

The restrictions covered 91 countries through a combination of travel bans, limitations involving Palestinian nationals and immigrant visa suspensions affecting 75 countries. Another 61 countries faced reductions in the number of immigrant visas available.

The report noted that visa issuances declined by around 10% during the first year following President Donald Trump's return to office.

The contraction accelerated in January after an expanded travel ban restricted entry and visa access for people from 39 countries, while immigrant visa issuance was suspended for applicants from another 52 countries.

The administration had also suspended the diversity visa programme a month earlier. The programme provides immigration opportunities to applicants from countries with historically low levels of immigration to the United States.

The Trump administration said the measures were intended to strengthen applicant screening for security risks and assess the potential use of public benefits.

Restrictions have also affected temporary immigration categories. Student and worker visa issuances fell by 30% year-on-year, while tourist and business visitor visas declined by approximately 25% in February, the report said.

Although the travel ban restricted student and work visas for nationals of 39 countries, applicants from countries outside the restrictions also experienced declines following the introduction of additional rules and fees. India and China, despite not being subject to the bans, recorded significant reductions in student and work visa issuances.

Meanwhile, legal asylum applications at southern ports of entry fell by 99.9%, while refugee admissions declined by around 90%, according to the report.

The policies were introduced without congressional approval and subsequently faced legal challenges. At the end of August, federal courts in two separate cases ordered the government to resume issuing visas.

However, most applicants affected by the suspensions were still awaiting visas despite the court orders, The New York Times reported.

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