An analysis by the Cato Institute, released on Wednesday by researcher David J. Bier, highlights that the Trump administration cut legal immigration to the United States 2.7 times more than illegal entries.
The report examines data up to February 2026, challenging the official narrative that the immigration crackdown targets only unauthorized crossings.
The reduction in legal immigration amounted to approximately 144,569 entries per month, compared to 53,128 illegal entries. Proportionally, 73% of the total decrease was in legal pathways, not unauthorized border crossings.
Trump's immigration policies continue to reshape the landscape for countless Cuban families. Stay updated with our coverage on U.S. Immigration.
Impact on Family Reunification and Skilled Workers
The hardest hit categories are those used by individuals seeking to reunify with family or build a life in the U.S. through formal channels: K visas for fiancés and spouses of U.S. citizens plummeted by 61% between February 2024 and February 2026.
Student visas dropped by 42% in the same period, while H-1B and H-4 visas for skilled workers and their families fell by 78%.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers Severely Affected
Refugee admissions decreased by 90%, and legal entries for asylum seekers at border ports nearly vanished, from around 40,000 in December 2024 to just 26 in February 2026, following the removal of the CBP One application.
Cuban Diaspora Faces Harsh Consequences
For the Cuban diaspora, the cumulative impact of these policies is particularly severe. Permanent residency approvals for Cubans dropped by 99.8% between October 2024 and January 2026, from 10,984 in February 2025 to a mere 15 in January 2026.
In February 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) suspended all applications from those who entered under the CHNV parole program—Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—revoking their status to facilitate ICE arrests.
Escalating ICE Arrests and Policy Reversals
ICE arrests of Cubans surged by 463%, from fewer than 200 per month at the end of 2024 to over 1,000 monthly by the end of 2025. Over 935,000 Cuban immigration benefit applications were frozen.
Further compounding the situation were other initiatives: the termination of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program, effective December 15, 2025; Presidential Proclamation 10998, in effect from January 1, 2026, which suspended all immigrant visas for Cubans, including categories for spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens; and the global suspension of immigrant visa appointments at embassies and consulates, announced in August under the guise of global training on "public charge" criteria.
A federal court overturned the suspension of immigrant visas for the 75 affected countries—including Cuba—deeming it "blatantly illegal," but Proclamation 10998 remains in effect, leaving Cuba blocked.
The impact of these policies on the Cuban community extends beyond the overall reduction in legal immigration documented by the Cato Institute. The end of the family reunification parole program (CFRP), visa restrictions, and measures against humanitarian parole CHNV have limited options for those seeking to legally emigrate or reunite with family in the U.S.
The repercussions also affect Cubans already in the U.S. The drop in permanent residency approvals, suspension of immigration processes, and rise in ICE detentions complicate their situation. While some families face greater obstacles to reunification, others struggle to regularize their status and remain legally in the country.
Understanding the Impact of Trump's Immigration Policies on Cubans
How have Trump's policies affected legal immigration for Cubans?
Trump's policies have drastically reduced legal immigration for Cubans, with permanent residency approvals dropping by 99.8% between October 2024 and January 2026.
What specific visa categories have been most impacted?
K visas for fiancés and spouses, student visas, and H-1B and H-4 visas for skilled workers have been among the most affected, experiencing significant declines.
What has been the effect on Cuban asylum seekers and refugees?
Admissions for Cuban refugees have plummeted by 90%, and legal entries for asylum seekers have nearly vanished due to policy changes.
How have ICE arrests of Cubans changed under these policies?
ICE arrests of Cubans increased by 463%, with monthly arrests rising from fewer than 200 to over 1,000 by the end of 2025.