Legal immigration to the United States from nationals of Muslim-majority countries has fallen by 96% since the end of 2024, according to an analysis of U.S. State Department data highlighted by the Trump administration.
The analysis by the Cato Institute examined immigrant visa issuances and permanent refugee admissions involving nationals of 45 Muslim-majority countries. The combined monthly total fell from 21,096 in December 2024 to 808 in February 2026.
The White House’s Rapid Response 47 X account promoted the finding in September, highlighting the sharp decline as part of the administration’s immigration policies.
The figures come as President Donald Trump’s administration has implemented expanded travel restrictions affecting nationals of dozens of countries. Beginning January 1, 2026, the State Department fully suspended visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries and partially suspended visa issuance for nationals of another group of countries, including several in Africa and the Middle East.
The decline has drawn criticism from Muslim civil rights organizations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the administration’s decision to emphasize the reduction from Muslim-majority nations raises concerns about discriminatory immigration policies.
The data measure people by nationality, not religious affiliation, meaning the figures do not establish how many Muslims entered or were denied entry to the United States.
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