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Trump issues fewer visas to Muslim-majority countries

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

New State Department data revealed the U.S. is issuing fewer non-immigrant visas to Muslim-majority countries, per Politico's Nahal Toosi and Ted Hesson.

The data showed that among 50 Muslim-majority countries, the number of non-immigrant visas granted in April decreased by 20% compared to the average monthly number in 2016. And for Arab countries, the number of non-immigrant visas declined by 30%.

The Trump effect: There was a 55% decrease in the number of visas granted among the six countries targeted by Trump's travel ban (Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen).

Go deeper

Ursula Perano
15 mins ago - Politics & Policy

A new Washington

Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Getty Image

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Friday that the city should expect a "new normal" for security — even after President-elect Biden's inauguration.

The state of play: Inaugurations are usually a point of celebration in D.C., but over 20,000 troops are now patrolling Washington streets in an unprecedented preparation for Biden's swearing-in on Jan. 20.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Shawna Chen
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Mike Pence calls Kamala Harris to offer congratulations and help

Mike Pence. Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty

Vice President Mike Pence called Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Thursday to congratulate her and offer assistance in the transition, the New York Times first reported.

Why it matters: The belated conversation came six days before the inauguration after a contentious post-election stretch. President Trump has neither spoken with President-elect Joe Biden, nor explicitly conceded the 2020 election.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Marisa Fernandez
Updated 2 hours ago - Health

The coronavirus variants: What you need to know

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

New variants of the coronavirus circulating globally appear to increase transmission and are being closely monitored by scientists.

Driving the news: The highly contagious variant B.1.1.7 originally detected in the U.K. could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March if no measures are taken to control the spread of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow