The preliminary visa data helps paint a fuller picture of immigration declines in the United States. In June, the administration enacted a travel ban on 19 countries — mostly majority-Muslim countries and those with a contentious relationship with the United States, such as Cuba. Meanwhile, the Trump administration began eliminating thousands of positions from the State Department, describing the reductions as an effort to root out “bloat” and inefficiency. But some foreigners could have been deterred by Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and canceled plans to come to the United States. But in August, the Trump administration suspended visas for Palestinian passport holders, dashing Mousa’s dreams.

Source: Washington Post March 22, 2026 14:10 UTC