Legal immigration to the United States fell sharply in February 2026, with immigrant visa issuances dropping by half as the Trump administration tightened entry rules for applicants from dozens of countries. The decline highlights how changes to immigration policy can affect not only people seeking permanent residence but also students, skilled workers, business travellers and families planning to move to the US.
According to the US Department of State’s immigrant visa issuance data, the country issued around 26,000 immigrant visas in February, compared with a monthly average of 52,000 before Donald Trump returned to office. The figures point to a broader slowdown in legal immigration as restrictions, additional screening and visa suspensions reshape access to the country.
