The Trump administration cut legal immigration roughly in half early this year, according to a New York Times report published Sunday. In February, the State Department issued about 26,000 immigrant visas, compared with an average of 52,000 a month in the years before Trump took office.
Policies adopted late last year and early this year made it "all but impossible" to immigrate from 91 countries and reduced the number of immigrant visas available from another 61. Africa and the Middle East were hit particularly hard. Immigration from Muslim-majority countries plunged by more than 90 percent. New immigrant visas from Africa fell 89 percent, Central Asia dropped 99 percent, and the Middle East fell 81 percent, according to the data.
"With the exception of the COVID period, these cuts are the largest to legal immigration since the Hoover administration during the Great Depression." — Immigration analysts cited by the New York Times
The declines were driven by an expanded travel ban covering dozens of countries, a pause on visa issuance for many more, and the suspension of the diversity visa program. The administration said the moves were intended to improve screening for security risks and potential future use of public benefits.
With the exception of the COVID period, these cuts are the largest to legal immigration since the Hoover administration during the Great Depression, according to immigration analysts cited by the Times. Courts have since ordered the government to resume issuing some visas, though many applicants remain waiting.
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