New York City Sees Steep Declines in Tourism and Immigration

Tighter federal border policies under Trump administration cited as key factor

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:04am

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New data shows that New York City saw a significant drop in international tourism and immigration over the past year, with around 400,000 fewer international visitors and a 70% decline in new residents moving to the city from other countries. Experts say these declines are largely driven by the tighter border policies implemented under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Why it matters

New York City relies heavily on both international tourism and immigration to fuel its economy and population growth. The steep declines in these areas pose challenges for the city's recovery and long-term prosperity.

The details

According to figures released by the city's tourism agency, around 400,000 fewer international tourists visited New York in 2025 compared to the previous year. Additionally, new population data indicates that the number of new residents moving to the city from other countries dropped by 70% from mid-2024 to mid-2025, the largest decline in the country. Experts attribute these declines to the tighter border policies implemented under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which discouraged both visitors and new residents from coming to the city.

  • The tourism decline was reported on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.
  • The population data showing the drop in new immigrant residents was released on Thursday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The current governor of New York.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States whose immigration policies are cited as a key factor behind the declines in tourism and immigration to New York City.

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What they’re saying

“New York City relies heavily on both international tourism and immigration to fuel its economy and population growth. The steep declines in these areas pose challenges for the city's recovery and long-term prosperity.”

— Unnamed expert

The takeaway

The significant drop in international tourism and immigration to New York City highlights the lasting impact of the Trump administration's restrictive border policies, which have hindered the city's ability to attract visitors and new residents from abroad. As the city works to recover, addressing these declines will be crucial for its long-term economic and population growth.