Trump Administration Drastically Cuts Legal and Illegal Immigration

Donald Trump implemented a series of policy shifts that significantly reduced both legal and illegal immigration into the United States. A report from the Cato Institute found that cuts to legal entries were 2.5 times larger than those for illegal entries. These measures included a 90 percent drop in refugee admissions and the near-total collapse of asylum claims at legal ports of entry after the government removed the CBP One app.

The administration halved permanent immigrant visas by suspending the Diversity Visa lottery and banning citizens from 40 specific countries. H-1B visas fell by approximately 25 percent, influenced by a new $100,000 petition fee, while international student visas decreased 40 percent during peak summer months. The United States Department of State reported an 87 percent decline in petitions for overseas workers following the fee's introduction.

Domestic naturalization processes also slowed, with monthly approvals dropping from 88,488 in 2025 to 32,862 by January 2026. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services attributed this decline to more rigorous screening, which included the reinstatement of the 2020 civics test and strengthened English language requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security utilized a pro-America review process to further screen migrants.