- The White House confirmed on October 19 that legal immigration fell sharply following Trump's early immigration policy changes
- Africa recorded the steepest decline among major world regions, with visa approvals dropping 89% after the new policies took effect
- The data revealed sweeping reductions affecting nearly every region outside North America
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Africa has recorded the steepest decline in visa approvals among major world regions following policy changes introduced by the Trump administration, with approvals falling 89% compared to pre-policy levels.
Source: Facebook
The figures were released in a White House statement issued on Monday, September 19, and subsequently reported by the New York Times.
The statement confirmed that the administration had cut legal immigration in half earlier in the year through policies restricting visas for migrants from nearly half the world.
How Africa compares globally
The regional breakdown published alongside the White House statement reveals the scale of the reductions across different parts of the world. Africa's 89% drop was the second largest recorded, behind only Central Asia, which saw a 99% decline. The Middle East fell by 81%, Eastern Europe by 84%, and South America by 60%.
The Caribbean recorded a 53% reduction, South Asia fell by 63%, and Australia and Oceania dropped by 73%. East Asia declined by 33%, Southeast Asia by 17%, and Central America by 30%. Western Europe recorded a comparatively modest decline of 16%.
In contrast, Mexico saw visa approvals rise by 17%, while Canada recorded a 142% increase under the same policy framework.
"Legal migration fell sharply under Trump immigration policies adopted early this year," the White House stated.
Trump's immigration crackdown
The Trump administration moved to restrict legal immigration significantly in the early months of 2026, implementing a series of executive measures that imposed visa restrictions on nationals from dozens of countries.
The policies affected immigrants seeking entry to the United States through legal channels, including family-based, employment-based, and diversity visa pathways.
For Kenyans and other African nationals, the restrictions have translated into sharply reduced access to US immigrant visas, affecting families with relatives in the United States, skilled workers seeking employment opportunities, and students pursuing academic programmes.
The near-total collapse in approvals for Central Asian applicants and the severe drop affecting African and Middle Eastern nationals point to a deliberate geographic prioritisation within the administration's immigration framework.
Source: TUKO.co.ke