Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Trump Plans to Cut Legal Immigration by 33% to 50%
Donald Trump's administration plans to make it much harder for Americans to bring their family members to live in the US.
This could reduce the number of people getting green cards by up to half over four years.
They are doing this by making new rules that stop people from certain countries from entering and by making it harder for people to get visas if they might need public benefits.
This could affect millions of families and make it difficult for Americans to live with their spouses, children, or parents in the US.
Trump administration plans could reduce legal immigration by 33% to 50%, affecting 1.5 million to 2.4 million green cards over four years.
New policies include country-based entry bans and stricter interpretations of 'public charge' to deny visas.
Immediate relatives of US citizens, who make up 48% of legal immigration, are particularly targeted.
A proclamation blocking immigrants from 39 countries could reduce immigration by up to 76,000 people a year.
Up to 2.7 million people already living legally in the US face uncertainty due to ended Temporary Protected Status.
- Who
- Donald Trump's administration, led by Stephen Miller
- What
- Plans to reduce legal immigration by 33% to 50% through stricter policies on family sponsorship and entry bans
- When
- During Trump's four-year term if re-elected in 2025
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To limit the number of immigrants entering the US through family sponsorship and other legal means
- Estimated Reduction in Legal Immigration
- 33% to 50%
- Potential Fewer Green Cards
- 1.5 million to 2.4 million
- Current Annual Green Cards
- 1.17 million (2023)
- Countries Affected by Entry Bans
- 39
- Percentage of Legal Immigration via Immediate Relatives
- 48%
- Potential Reduction in Immediate Relatives Green Cards
- 941,625 to 1,654,770
- Potential Annual Reduction Due to Entry Bans
- Up to 76,000 people
