Iranians Make Up the Largest Number of Citizens from Seven Muslim-Majority Countries Banned from Entering the United States

Iranians were the most numerous visitors to the United States in 2015, among the seven countries banned from entering the U.S. at the beginning of President Donald Trump's administration. A total of 35,268 Iranian citizens entered the U.S. in 2015, with 3,109 of them seeking asylum. Second highest was Iraq, with 21,381 citizens entering, 12,676 of whom also sought asylum.

Upon signing the ban on entry for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, Trump stated that no new visas would be issued for Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for at least 30 days. Additionally, there was an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria.

However, other Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia were not subject to this travel ban.