did you know that at the start of 2023 the net cost of illegal immigration for the United States was at least 1 15.7 billion and in December 2023 alone US border patrol agents took into custody more than 225,000 migrants who crossed the southern border while illegal immigration is a big problem across the entire country there are certain states that are hit harder by this issue with roughly an estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the US you may be wondering where those people are spread out across the country so today on across the globe we're going
to be looking into how many illegal immigrants are in each state for this list we will be delving into Data compiled by fair and covering the estimated illegal immigrant numbers along with a couple other notable data points for every state so we will be going fairly quickly number 50 and number 49 West Virginia and North Dakota both West Virginia and North Dakota have an estimated 6,000 illegal immigrants living within their borders both states have seen around 3,000 children born there as a result this has added over 2,000 students to schools in both States number 48
and number 47 Wyoming and Montana in Wyoming and Montana there are an estimated 8,000 illegal immigrants residing in each state according to fair in Wyoming this has has added 2,628 students to local schools and in Montana these illegal alien households have added 2,794 students to the school system in the state number 46 South Dakota despite being a small state in the grand scheme of things South Dakota still tackles the problem of illegal immigration according to Fair there is an estimated 9,000 illegal immigrants residing here from that 9,000 there are roughly 3,000 children born illegally in
the state additionally these households add 3,875 students to Local Schools number 45 Vermont Fair estimates that there are around 10,000 illegal immigrants in the state of Vermont however the state is accepting of immigrants who go about migrating properly in Vermont the agriculture industry relies on immigrants for 10% of its employees number 44 Maine Maine known for its picturesque coastlines abundant wildlife and Charming small towns is the most Northeastern state in the US while it may not be a top destination for illegal immigrants the state's Agricultural and Forestry Industries attract migrant workers looking for employment opportunities
additionally Maine's proximity to the Canadian border and its sparsely populated areas make it an attractive option for those seeking to enter the country undetected from the less disussed border according to fair in Maine an estimated 12,000 illegal immigrants reside in the state from this number there are around 4,000 children born into the state adding over 5,000 students to Local Schools number 43 New Hampshire New Hampshire located in the New England region of the United States is known for its picturesque Landscapes outdoor recreational activities and low crime rates making it one of the safest places to
live in the United States the state has a thriving economy driven by Industries such as tourism manufacturing and Healthcare due to its relatively low population density and strong job market illegal immigrants may be tempted to enter New Hampshire in search of employment opportunities and a better quality of life additionally much like Maine New Hampshire's proximity to the Canadian border and major cities like Boston make it an appealing destination for those looking to avoid detection and establish a new life in the United States according to Fair New Hampshire has an estimated 14,000 illegal immigrants residing in
the state with 5,000 children born from these illegal alien households this adds 4,896 students to Local Schools number 42 Alaska Alaska is widely referred to as the Last Frontier reflecting the idea that the state represents one of the few remaining Frontiers Untouched by human development a rare opportunity to experience the Wilderness in its purest form according to Fair an estimated 15,000 illegal immigrants reside in Alaska number 41 Mississippi when we look at the state of Mississippi this is where these numbers really take a jump with an estimated 34,000 residing here there are an estimated 11,000
children born into the state in illegal alien households adding 7,000 578 students to Local Schools number 40 Delaware much like Mississippi Delaware has also seen illegal immigration numbers climb in recent years based on Fair's estimations there are 35,000 illegal immigrants living in the state and 12,000 us-born children this has added over 15,000 students to Local Schools number 39 Rhode Island Rhode Island the smallest state in the United States is known for its vibrant cultural scene stunning Coastline and historic charm despite its small size Rhode Island has a diverse economy with a strong presence in Industries
such as health care education and Manufacturing the state's proximity to Major Urban centers like Boston and New York City also makes it an attractive destination for those seeking employment opportunities illegal immigrants may be tempted to enter Rhode Island illegally due to the state's relatively L strong job market and welcoming immigrant communities according to Fair there is an estimated 42,000 illegal immigrants living in the state birthing around 15,000 children number 38 Hawaii Hawaii known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse culture is a unique state that holds an opulent history originally settled by Polynesian voyagers Hawaii
was later discovered by European explorers and became a crucial hub for trade and commerce in 1959 Hawaii officially became the 50th state of the United States with its booming tourism industry and strong agricultural sector Hawaii is a desirable destination for many including illegal immigrants according to Fair Hawaii has an estimated 51,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state adding over 177,000 students to Local Schools number 37 Iowa according to American immigration Council nearly 28,000 US citizens in Iowa live with at least one family member who is undocumented if you look at the estimated number of illegal
immigrants residing in the state this starts to make sense according to Fair there are an estimated 55,000 illegal aliens living in the state and have added close to 22,000 students to Local Schools number 36 Nebraska Nebraska located in the heart of the Great Plains has a rich history dating back to its settlement in the 19th century with its vast agricultural lands and strong ties to the ranching industry the state has flourished as a hub for farming and livestock production however in recent years the state has also seen an increase in illegal immigration according to Fair
Nebraska has around 56,000 illegal immigrants calling the state their home adding over 22,000 students to local schools number 35 Idaho Idaho known as The Gem State is famous for its abundance of natural resources and stunning Landscapes including its mountains rivers and forests the state has a rich history with strong ties to the mining industry and the Oregon Trail however Idaho has also become a target for illegal immigrants seeking work opportunities in Industries such as Agriculture and construction according to Fair's estimations the state is home to roughly 62,000 illegal immigrants number 34 Kentucky in 2016 35,000
undocumented immigrants comprised 22% of the Immigrant population and 1% of the total state population in Kentucky as of 2024 this number has risen Fair estimates that there are currently around 69,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state of Kentucky number 33 Missouri Missouri known as the shomi state has a diverse history dating back to its founding in 1821 throughout the years Missouri has been a key player in American history from its role in the Civil War to being the starting point for the Pony Express one reason why illegal immigrants may be tempted to enter Missouri illegally
is due to the state's abundance of agricultural and manufacturing jobs according to Fair there are an estimated 77,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state adding over 29,000 students to Local Schools number 32 Alabama Alabama also known as the yellow Hammer state made headlines in 2011 when it passed a controversial law called HB 56 in an attempt to address its illegal immigrant issues many considered this law to be the harshest in America yet leading to widespread criticism and controver y despite these efforts in 2024 the state continues to struggle with problems surrounding illegal immigrants according to
Fair there are an estimated 91,000 illegal immigrants living in the state of Alabama number 31 and number 30 Arkansas and Louisiana according to Fair the estimated number of illegal immigrants residing in both Arkansas and Louisiana is around 97,000 in both States these illegal aliens have birthed around 34,000 children into the respective States adding a tremendous strain onto the school systems number 29 Kansas Kansas otherwise known as the sunflower state has an estimated 104,000 illegal immigrants living in the state these illegal alien households have added over 42,000 students to the local schools number 28 Wisconsin according
to the American Immigration Council IL nearly 56,000 US citizens in Wisconsin live with at least one family member who is undocumented based on Fair's estimations there are currently around 111,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state straining the school system with over 41,000 added students number 27 South Carolina due to Growing problems with illegal immigration the South Carolina law enforcement division has established an illegal immigration enforcement unit to address these issues this specialized unit is responsible for identifying apprehending and Prosecuting individuals who are in the country illegally based on Fair's estimations of around 117,000 illegal immigrants
residing in South Carolina it's easy to see why this division was formed number 26 New Mexico it is no secret that New Mexico has long grappled with problems of illegal immigration due to its close proximity to Mexico the state's border with Mexico has made it a popular destination for individuals looking to enter the United States illegally in search of better opportunities this influx of unauthorized immigrants has put a strain on resources such as healthc care and education and has fueled debates about border security and immigration policy Fair estimates that there are around 119,000 illegal immigrants
living in the state of New Mexico number 25 Ohio Ohio known to many as the Buckeye state is estimated to house around 132,000 illegal immigrants from this number 46,000 children have been born in the state meaning these illegal alien households have strained the school system by adding around 44,000 students to Local Schools number 24 Oklahoma in recent years oklah Oklahoma has turned to the E verify system as a tool to combat illegal immigration within the state by requiring all employers to use this online system to verify the eligibility of their employees to work in the
United States Oklahoma has taken a proactive approach to ensuring that only lawful workers are being employed however the state still faces major issues with illegal immigration according to Fair there are around 136,000 illegal immigrants living in Oklahoma number 23 Utah often referred to as the beehive state Utah is estimated to be home to around 137,000 illegal immigrants with these illegal alien households birthing around 48,000 children into the state this has added a great strain to the school system adding over 54,000 students to Local Schools number 22 Minnesota over the years Minnesota has attracted an estimated
140,000 illegal immigrants to its beautiful state known as The Land of 10,000 lakes these illegal alien households have also added over 57,000 students to Local Schools number 21 Indiana according to fined law Indiana has adopted a much stricter approach to immigration compared to more liberal states such as New York Connecticut and Illinois operating under federal laws Indiana ensures that employers refer to federal employment eligibility verification rules and adhere to the requirements of form I9 additionally Indiana Legislation mandates that state and local government agencies as well as government contractors use ever verify to confirm the eligibility
of their employees to work in the United States however despite these measures according to Fair's estimations there are still around 154,000 illegal immigrants calling the state their home number 20 Tennessee Tennessee also known as the volunteer state has a rich history and vibrant culture however the state has long grappled with issues of illegal immigration in recent years Tennessee has implemented harsh immigration laws and crackdowns sparking controversy and debate according to Fair there are an estimated 162 ,000 illegal immigrants living in the state of Tennessee from that figure these illegal alien households have added close to
,000 students to Local Schools number 19 Connecticut according to Fair an estimated 167,000 illegal immigrants reside in Connecticut out of those illegal alien households roughly 58,000 children have been born into the state adding over 41,000 students to the school system number 18 Oregon Oregon known to many as the beaver state has found itself embroiled in controversy in recent years due to its lenient stance on illegal immigration one of the most contentious issues revolves around the state's decision to provide expanded free health insurance to lowincome Residents regardless of their immigration status while this move has been
lauded as a step towards inclusivity and equality critics argue that it has inadvertently incentivized more illegal immigrants to venture into the state thus straining resources and exacerbating existing tensions according to Fair there are around 181,000 illegal immigrants residing in Oregon number 17 Michigan according to axios in 2021 undocumented immigrants accounted for 1.2% of Michigan's population as of 2024 the Great Lake State of Michigan is estimated to be home to around 185,000 illegal immigrants these households have added over 83,000 students to the school system number 16 Pennsylvania according to the American Immigration Council nearly 85,000 US
citizens in Pennsylvania live with at least one family member who is undocumented according to Fair there are an estimated 251,000 illegal immigrants living in the state of Pennsylvania with around 87,000 children being born into illegal alien households these families have added close to 72,000 students into local schools number 15 Colorado according to the American Immigration Council close to 142,000 US citizens in Colorado live with at least one family member who is undocumented based on Fair's estimations there are currently around 278 ,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state these illegal alien households have birthed around 96,000
children in the state adding 87,500 students to Local Schools number 14 Massachusetts with an estimated 292,000 illegal aliens living in the state of Massachusetts it's no secret that illegal immigration is a major problem in the state according to axios Based on data from Pew and the US Census Bureau this issue has been growing rapidly since 2010 as between 2010 and 2021 Massachusetts gained an estimated 120,000 undocumented residents number 13 Nevada Nevada has long been known for its challenges with illegal immigration due to its proximity to the US Mexico border and its booming economy that attracts
migrant workers the state's large Agricultural and Construction Industries rely heavily on immigrant labor leading to a steady flow of undocumented workers into the area fair estimates that Nevada is home to around 293,000 illegal immigrants these illegal alien households have added great strain to the school system in particular adding around 70,000 students to the local schools number 12 Washington according to the Seattle Times in Washington about 220,000 undocumented immigrants were in the labor force in 2021 representing 5.6% of the state's total labor force as of 2024 The Evergreen State is estimated to be home to around
346,000 illegal immigrants number 11 Maryland according to the American Immigration Council in 2016 275,000 undocumented immigrants comprised 29% of the Immigrant population in the state of Maryland as of 2024 according to fair this number has increased and there are now an estimated 350,000 illegal immigrants calling Maryland to their home these illegal alien households have added around 117,000 students into the school system number 10 Virginia Virginia also known as The Old Dominion state is steeped in Rich history and home to some of the oldest settlements in the United States however the state has long grappled with
the complex issue of illegal immigration with its proximity to Washington DC and a growing immigrant population Virginia has been at the Forefront of debates surrounding immigration policy and enforcement according to Fair there are an estimated 419,000 illegal immigrants calling Virginia their home adding over 123,000 students to local schools number nine Arizona according to the American Immigration Council over 250,000 US citizens in Arizona live with at least one family member who is undocumented based on Fair's estimations the state is currently home to around 453,000 illegal immigrants number eight North Carolina according to wfae about 5% of
North Carolina residents are non-citizens as of 2024 there are an estimated 488,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state these illegal alien households have birthed roughly 169,000 children into the state adding over 122,000 students to Local Schools number seven Georgia the implementation of a task force modeled in Arizona where law enforcement officers were given the authority to interrogate anyone suspected of being under documented highlights the severity of the issue of illegal immigration in the state this approach not only demonstrates the high level of concern and urgency surrounding the issue but also suggests that the existing methods
of controlling immigration are insufficient according to Fair there are an estimated 54,000 illegal immigrants living in Georgia these illegal alien households have caused tremendous challenges for the school system adding over 150,000 students into local schools number six Illinois Illinois known as The Land of Lincoln is a state rich in history and culture it has long been a hub of political activity being the birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln however Illinois has also been grappling with issues of illegal immigration for many years the state has a large immigrant population with many migrants coming from Central and South
America seeking better opportunities according to Fair there are an estimated 628 th000 illegal immigrants residing in the state of Illinois adding over 228,000 students to Local Schools number five New Jersey according to the American Immigration Council more than a qu million US citizens in New Jersey live with at least one family member who is undocumented they also state that New Jersey is home to thousands of deferred for childhood arrivals recipients according to Fair there are an estimated 697 th000 illegal immigrants residing in New Jersey adding over 138,000 students to the school system number four New
York New York has long been a magnet for illegal immigrants drawn in by perceptions of America as the land of opportunity and New York City as the epicenter of it all the promise of well-paying jobs and the chance to to build a better life for themselves and their families has driven countless individuals to take the risk of Crossing Borders without proper documentation according to Fair there are an estimated 1, 181,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state of New York burdening the school system with over 277,000 added students to Local Schools number three Florida while the
Sunshine State of Florida may be known for its beautiful weather and tourist attractions it is also taking a strong stance against illegal immigration as reported by vaa news in July 2023 the state took a drastic step by issuing a new law that criminalized the act of knowingly transporting undocumented individuals into the state this law which elevated the offense to felony human smuggling carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison the severity of this law highlights the state's dedication to cracking down on illegal immigration and sending a strong message to those who engage in
such activities based on Fair's estimations there are around 1,1 185,000 illegal immigrants residing in the State of Florida these illegal alien households have added over 312,000 students to Local Schools number two Texas it is widely acknowledged that Texas has long been what of the states most impacted by the negative consequences of illegal immigration the problems arising from unauthorized entry into the state have been ongoing for years despite this progress towards combating illegal immigration took a significant step forward in December 2023 when Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill making illegal immigration a State Crime this groundbreaking
legislation now allows law enforcement authorities to arrest individuals they suspect of crossing the Rio Grande without using designated ports of Entry this bold move by Governor Abbott demonstrates a commitment to addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration and marks a pivotal moment in the state's efforts to protect its borders and residents however there is still a long way to go according to Fair there are an estimated 2,226 th000 illegal immigrants residing in the state of Texas adding a massive 86836 students to Local Schools number one California due to its long history of being seen as
a land of opportunity California has often been compared to New York as a beacon of success the Allure of Hollywood and the promise of Fame and Fortune has drawn countless individuals to the state in pursuit of their dreams however California has also faced its fair share of challenges particularly when it comes to Illegal immigration issues the state's close proximity to Mexico has made it a hot bed for illegal border crossings leading to tensions and debates over immigration policies in November 2023 axios stated that according to a study by the Pew Research Center California has the
largest population of undocumented immigrants in America according to Fair there are an estimated 3,226 th000 illegal immigrants residing in the state of California which is about how many people live in the entire state of Iowa adding a staggering 1,149 559 students to Local Schools what about where these illegal immigrants in the US are coming from
