Trump policies led to 50% cut in legal immigration

Newly released State Department data—the most recent publicly available—show a sharp drop in green cards approved in February 2026, driven by Trump Administration policies that took effect late last year. The administration issued just 26,000 green cards in February, compared with 52,000 in the same month in prior years.

The administration has implemented several new policies, including ones that block nationals from countries deemed threats to national security and make it harder for foreign nationals likely to become a public charge to receive green cards. Because these policies continue to face legal challenges, their long-term impact remains to be seen.

Additionally, nonimmigrant visa issuances dropped significantly for foreign students (down 54%) and H-1B guest workers (down 25%). Visas issued to business travelers and tourists were also down 7%. This drop is partly due to the broad ban affecting 39 national-security threat countries and increased vetting for other foreign nationals.

IAP submits comment on proposed rule to implement OPT fee

Two weeks ago, we reported on a proposed rule that would impose a fee on schools recommending foreign students for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The proposed rule requires schools to pay $70,000 for their first OPT worker recommendation and $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation, though it allows schools to pass these fees along to the employers seeking to hire the foreign workers.

The Immigration Accountability Project (IAP) submitted a public comment supporting the rule, which is available on the Federal Register website. Here is an excerpt:

"The Immigration Accountability Project supports the proposed fee for participants in the unauthorized and unlawful Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Since its creation by executive fiat, the OPT program has served as a backdoor into the American workforce and a subsidy for employers seeking cheap foreign labor. It is also a major pipeline into the H-1B visa system, even though foreign students are not dual intent. The OPT program should be terminated entirely, but charging universities that recommend OPT for foreign students a significant fee is a welcome step in the right direction."

We encourage you to submit your own comment supporting the rule by clicking here: Regulations.gov Comment Link.

Several House Democrats lose ground in latest update of Immigration Rankings

With Congress in recess and members on the campaign trail, there was little movement in this week's update to IAP Action's Congressional Immigration Rankings. However, a handful of House Democrats dropped a few spots after sponsoring or cosponsoring harmful immigration legislation:

• Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA) fell six spots to rank 280th overall after cosponsoring two bills opposed by IAP Action:
• H.R. 4696, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, which would grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens (designated as key legislation); and
• H.R. 10740, which would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainian nationals admitted under the illegal Uniting for Ukraine parole program.
• Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) fell five spots to rank 375th overall after cosponsoring the Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act (H.R. 10685). The bill would grant green cards to Hong Kong nationals who have received Deferred Enforced Departure in the United States.
• Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) fell four spots to rank 367th overall after cosponsoring the Fairness to Freedom Act (H.R. 3127). The bill would require American taxpayers to fund legal counsel for aliens facing removal.

You can view the full Congressional Immigration Rankings at IAPAction.com.

Immigration Articles

Fox News: Virginia sanctuary county ignores 1,670 detainer requests over 2 years, House Judiciary Committee finds

A new House Judiciary Committee report finds that Fairfax County, Virginia, ignored at least 1,670 federal immigration detainers between 2023 and 2025, releasing criminal illegal aliens back into the community. Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano actively tailored prosecutorial decisions to shield them from detention and removal.

CBS News: Immigrants from Ukraine and Sudan to retain deportation protections for now

The Department of Homeland Security has temporarily preserved deportation protections and work permits for tens of thousands of Ukrainian and hundreds of Sudanese nationals enrolled in Temporary Protected Status (TPS). DHS is leaving the programs in place past their scheduled expiration while final decisions on their termination remain pending.

Fox News: Illegal alien with former DACA status accused in Iwo Jima statue attack: sources

A 27-year-old Mexican illegal alien and former DACA recipient was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after allegedly using a sledgehammer to decapitate a Marine figure on the historic limestone Iwo Jima monument near Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

Next Week

The House and Senate remain out of town.