US legal immigration cut in half by visa freezes, bans
February immigrant visas fell to 26,000 from a prior monthly average of 52,000, while entries from Muslim-majority countries plunged by more than 90 percent.
Monthly immigrant visas fell to about 26,000 in February from a pre-administration average of about 52,000.
Policies made immigration from 91 countries nearly impossible and cut visas available in 61 more.
Immigration from Muslim-majority countries fell by more than 90 percent; Africa and the Middle East were hit hard.
Student and work visas fell about 30 percent year on year; tourist and business visas were down about 25 percent in February.
Federal courts ordered visa issuance to resume by late August, but most blocked applicants were still waiting.