Context:

The Trump administration markedly reduced legal immigration, with visa issuances from 91 countries restricted and others cut as well, resulting in more than a 90% drop in arrivals from Muslim-majority nations and a broad pullback across both immigrant and nonimmigrant programs. The policy, implemented largely without Congressional approval, intensified during the second term, including an expanded travel ban and suspension of the diversity visa program, while courts later ordered a resumption of visas. Effects extended to international students and workers, with notable declines and prolonged wait times for affected applicants. Canada and Mexico saw increases, underscoring the regional unevenness of the policy. As lawsuits unfold and court backstops reset issuance, the backlog and uncertainty persist for prospective migrants.

Dive Deeper:

• The administration restricted immigration from 91 countries and reduced visa issuance for another 61, targeting broad categories of entrants and implementing sweeping limits.

• Muslim-majority countries experienced a decline in immigrant visas by more than 90 percent, signaling a disproportionate impact on African and Middle Eastern nationals.

• In January, an expanded travel ban restricted entry for nationals of 39 countries, while visa issuance was paused for people from an additional 52 countries, and the diversity visa program was suspended.

• Federal courts halted and then ordered the resumption of visa issuance in August after lawsuits; despite orders, many applicants remained waiting for their visas.

• Nonimmigrant visas fell substantially, with international student and worker visas down roughly 30 percent year over year, and tourist/business visas down about 25 percent in February.

• Canada and Mexico were largely exempt from the restrictions and experienced increases in visa issuance, highlighting geographic disparities in policy impact.

• The policy was implemented without congressional approval and is described as aiming to prioritize border security and ‘Americans first,’ with continuing uncertainty as legal challenges proceed and backlogs persist.