Legal immigration to the US from 45 Muslim-majority countries has fallen dramatically during President Donald Trump’s second term. According to an analysis by the think tank Cato Institute, the number of immigrant visas and asylum applications from these countries fell from 21,096 in December 2024 to 808 in February 2026 – a decline of 96 per cent.
The figures are based on official data from the US Department of State and include both immigrant visas (primarily family-based) and asylum applications.
Afghans and Pakistanis have given up on the US
The decline affected almost all of the 45 countries. Afghans accounted for the largest share: from 5,563 people in December 2024 to nine – 9 – in February 2026, a fall of 99.8 per cent. Pakistanis followed closely behind with a reduction of 97.9 per cent.
Only three countries – Qatar, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates – saw an increase during this period. Turkey saw the smallest decline, at eight per cent.
Asylum applications from Muslim-majority countries came to a complete halt. In December 2024, 5,157 refugees were admitted; by February 2026, the figure was zero. Family-based immigration visas, for family reunification, fell by around 95 per cent.
The Cato Institute attributes the decline to the Trump administration’s stricter controls and prioritisation of national security. It is emphasised that the figures relate to nationality and that a proportion of those affected are not necessarily Muslims.
🚨 BREAKING — IT’S OFFICIAL: President Trump has just signed an executive order directing Secretary Rubio to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANISATION
FINALLY!
Trump’s order also prohibits financial transactions with them, so much of their funding will… pic.twitter.com/O7mgXuaTdL
— John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr (@realJohnJohnJr) 5 October 2026
If this low level persists through to 2026, it will be the lowest number of legal immigrants and ‘refugees’ from Muslim-majority countries in at least 30 years.
