US Muslim-majority immigration falls 96% under Trump administration

Immigration from Muslim-majority countries to the United States has declined by 96 percent since late 2024 under the Trump administration, according to an analysis by the Cato Institute. Data from the State Department and immigration authorities show that monthly immigrant visa issuances and legal refugee admissions from 45 examined countries fell from 21,096 in December 2024 to 808 in February 2026.

The most significant reduction occurred among Afghan nationals, whose numbers dropped by 99.8 percent, from 5,563 in December 2024 to just nine in February 2026. Pakistan also saw a 97.9 percent decline. The Cato Institute attributed this collapse to immigration restrictions, including the January 2025 suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program. The White House stated the measure aims to prioritize national security, public safety, and the preservation of taxpayer resources.

Noah Pollak, a Trump deputy, characterized the policy shift as a consequential step in combating antisemitism in the US. While immigration from Muslim-majority nations fell by 96 percent, immigration from other regions declined by 36 percent during the same period. If current rates persist, Cato projects that approximately 40,000 immigrants and refugees from Muslim-majority countries will enter the US in fiscal year 2026, marking the lowest level in at least three decades.