Full Breakdown
Sharp Decline in Immigration from Muslim-Majority Nations Under President Trump
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Decline in Legal Migration
State Department data show that immigrant visas and refugee admissions from 45 Muslim-majority countries fell from 21,096 in December 2024—President Joe Biden’s final month—to just 808 in February 2026, a reduction of roughly 96 percent. Family-based visas for U.S. citizens’ relatives from those nations dropped by about 95 percent in the same period. Refugee resettlement from Muslim-majority countries fell from 5,157 arrivals in December 2024 to zero by February 2026. Only Qatar, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates recorded any increase. Migration from Afghanistan collapsed from 5,563 arrivals in December 2024 to nine in February 2026, a 99.8 percent decline.
Policy Overhaul and Refugee Admissions
In the previous fiscal year, the administration announced a sweeping reform of the U.S. Analysis by the Pew Research Centre indicates that, through the first ten months of the 2026 fiscal year, the United States admitted 10,258 refugees, all but three of whom were white South Africans.
Data Summary
- Immigrant visas/refugee admissions from 45 Muslim-majority countries: 21,096 (Dec 2024) -> 808 (Feb 2026).
- Family-based visas for U.S. citizens’ relatives: down ~95 %.
- Refugee admissions from Muslim-majority nations: 5,157 (Dec 2024) -> 0 (Feb 2026).
- Afghan arrivals: 5,563 (Dec 2024) -> 9 (Feb 2026).
- Total refugees admitted FY 2026 (first ten months): 10,258, 10,255 of whom were white South Africans.
Official Reactions
Republican Congressman Randy Fine echoed the administration’s stance, noting the low admission rate.
Potential Implications
The dramatic drop in legal migration from Muslim-majority countries represents the sharpest decline in decades, according to the State Department’s trend. Critics argue the policy amounts to religious discrimination, while supporters claim it enhances security. The exclusive refugee pathway for white South Africans highlights a selective approach to humanitarian admissions, raising questions about the criteria used to define “high-risk” versus “victims of discrimination.”