Regional declines are most acute in Central Asia, where legal entry fell 99%, and among African and Muslim-majority countries, which saw drops of approximately 90%. Visa issuance also fell in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, though legal immigration from Canada rose 142% and Mexico increased 17%.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Trump Slashes US Legal Immigration 50% in Largest Cut Since 1920s
US Politics2 days ago
The Trump administration has overhauled the nation's visa issuance process to limit the number of foreign nationals permitted to reside in the United States. Total legal immigration has plunged 50% under new visa restrictions, according to the New York Times, marking the most severe contraction since the Great Depression, excluding the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. These reductions were achieved through executive action alone and affected applicants across most global regions.
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