Have fewer legal immigrants been coming to the US in recent years?
Yes
In 2020 and 2021, the number of immigrants arriving in the U.S. decreased substantially. The Trump administration closed the borders with Mexico and Canada in March 2020 in response to COVID-19, and also placed restrictions on international arrivals. Visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world was severely disrupted, leading to a decline in the inflow of foreign nationals on temporary visas. According to the Department of State, the slowdown in visa processing generated many fewer visa entries and a backlog of more than 460,000 people with unprocessed visas as of late 2021. The number of permanent residents arriving in the U.S. also fell substantially. Statistical estimates for fiscal year 2020, which runs from Oct. 1, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2020, indicate a decrease of immigrant visas of 45% and a decrease of nonimmigrant visas of 54% relative to the previous fiscal year.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources:
EconoFact Labor Shortages and the Immigration Shortfall
US Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
Migration Policy Institute The ‘Trump Effect’ on Legal Immigration Levels: More Perception than Reality?
Econofact is partnering with Gigafact–an initiative focused on countering misinformation and spreading facts.