Trump admin cuts legal immigration from Muslim countries by over 90%

The Trump administration has sharply reduced legal immigration to the United States, with immigrant visa issuances falling by roughly half compared with levels under Joe Biden. The restrictions have disproportionately affected African and Middle Eastern countries, with immigrant visas issued to nationals of Muslim-majority countries reportedly declining by more than 90 percent.

In February, the State Department issued approximately 26,000 immigrant visas, down from an average of roughly 52,000 per month under the Biden administration before President Trump returned to office, according to The New York Times. The administration imposed sweeping restrictions on immigration from 91 countries and reduced visa issuance for another 61 countries. African and Middle Eastern nationals were among the hardest hit, with the number of immigrant visas issued to nationals of Muslim-majority countries falling by more than 90 percent.

The restrictions intensified over the course of Trump’s second term. During the administration’s initial months, immigrant visa issuance declined by roughly 10 percent. In January, an expanded travel ban restricted entry for nationals of 39 countries, while visa issuance was paused for people from another 52 countries. The administration also suspended the diversity visa program.

The State Department issued virtually no immigrant visas to nationals of affected countries for more than eight months. Canada and Mexico, which were not subject to those restrictions, were among the few countries to see increases in visa issuance.

The policies were implemented without congressional approval and subsequently blocked by federal courts. Federal courts in two lawsuits ordered the government to resume issuing visas in August. However, most people whose applications had been affected are still waiting for their visas.

Nonimmigrant visas have been affected as well. Visas for international students and workers fell by roughly 30 percent compared with one year prior, while visas for tourists and business visitors declined by roughly 25 percent in February.

Seasonal agricultural workers and exchange workers visas have remained at the same level, while visas for seasonal workers in hospitality and tourism have declined.

A New York Times report from earlier this year noted that the Trump administration’s immigration policy echoes that of 1920s America. At the time, the country instituted a cap of 150,000 immigrants each year, with lawmakers arguing that the US “cease to function as an asylum.”

“The Trump administration remains laser-focused on arresting and deporting criminal illegal aliens, keeping our border secure from aliens who seek to enter illegally and putting Americans first in all our policies — from travel restrictions to deportation operations,” former White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the outlet earlier this year. “The president’s guiding focus remains doing what’s best for the American people.”