Department of State data show 20% decline in visas issued to Muslim-majority countries
Visa issuance data released by the Department of State for the month of April showed an almost 20% decline in non-immigrant visas issued to “nearly 50 Muslim-majority countries” around the world compared to the 2016 monthly visa issuance average, Politico reported. Overall, non-immigrant visa issuance declined by 15 percent in April, compared to a 5 percent increase in March.The drop in visa issuance is even more significant when only looking at particular applicant populations, Politico explains:
Non-immigrant visa issuance to Arab countries only decreased by almost 30 percent in April, compared to the 2016 monthly average
The six countries targeted in the Trump administration’s March 6 executive order – Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen – saw a decline in visa issuance by 55 percent, compared to the 2016 monthly average
While the exact reasons for the decline are unknown and visa demand is cyclical and tends to increase during peak travel seasons, recent immigration-related actions by the Trump administration seem to have a “chilling” effect on travel to the U.S., Politico notes, quoting immigration lawyer Stephen Pattison:
“Some people may have canceled trips," Pattison said. "Some people may have traveled last year but not this year. But I think it would be naive to assume that’s what’s going on in Washington isn’t having an effect on consular adjudications.”
Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations quoted by Politico, echoed this sentiment, adding that increased visa vetting procedures for visitors coming to the U.S. are likely also playing a role in the lower visa issuance rates:
“The uproar over the travel ban” could be discouraging people from all backgrounds from making the trek to the U.S. “That kind of stuff reverberates."“We are probably also seeing the real effect of somewhat more rigorous processes at the consulates.”
Politico notes that up until this spring, the State Department only made available annual visa issuance totals. With the new monthly breakdowns, a decline in visa issuance to Muslim-majority countries was already visible in March, but not to the same extent that was revealed by the April report.