Immigration is the hottest topic in the country these days, particularly the issue of the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in U.S. borders. The Trump administration is launching tougher laws and aggressive enforcement of deportations, including allowing immigration authorities to enter churches and schools to remove people without documentation.
On May 5, the Department of Homeland Security announced it will pay illegal immigrants to “self-deport.” According to this new proposal, immigrants will be offered a free commercial flight in addition to $1000 to leave the U.S. Even with this stipend, costs to the government will be significantly less, as it costs roughly $17,000 to deport a single individual. By offering this financial incentive, the government will save money, and the immigrant will earn a bit of cash through their departure.
These are the 10 states with the largest estimated number of undocumented migrants, based on data from the Migration Policy Institute. Their site has a convenient clickable map with data on every state, so if yours is not listed here, you can find it there.
This post was updated on May 5, 2025 to reflect the Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcement.
Surprising Data from the Top 10
Some data points from the top 10 states with the most undocumented migrants may be surprising.
- These states account for about 8 million of the country’s estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants, or about 73%.
- Although the majority come from Mexico and Central America, Asian countries are the other main source of undocumented immigrants, particularly from China, India, and the Philippines. These are more likely to arrive in airports than to cross the southern border.
- In most states about half of unauthorized migrants have lived in the country 15 or more years and speak English. After this period of time most have children who were born in the country and are American citizens.
- In most states only 20-30% of undocumented people live below the poverty line.
- Most do not work in agriculture, but in construction, professional positions, or the hospitality industry (food service, hotels, the sports and entertainment industry, recreation, etc.).
Occupations of Undocumented Immigrant Workers
Many undocumented immigrants arrive in the country on tourist or student visas and then remain in the country after their visa has expired. So some of them have sufficient resources to travel, language skills, and a college education and can figure out ways to get compensated for their skills. But, taking New York State as an example, the majority work in fields like construction, housekeeping, as cooks, in home healthcare, as janitors, or delivery drivers.
10. Arizona
- Population: 290,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, Guatemala, India, Philippines, China
- U.S. residency: 41% have lived in the country for 15 or more years.
- Language proficiency: 55% speak English
- Industries of employment: construction; professional, management, administration; hospitality industry.
- Below the poverty line: 32%
- Above the poverty line: 68%
9. Washington
- Population: 246,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, India, Philippines, China, Guatemala
- U.S. residency: 20% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 60% speak English
- Industries of employment: agriculture; hospitality industry; professional, management, administration.
- Below the poverty line: 23%
- Above the poverty line: 77%
8. Georgia
- Population: 339,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, Guatemala, India, El Salvador, Honduras
- U.S. residency: 43% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 55% speak English
- Industries of employment: construction; professional, management, administration; manufacturing
- Below the poverty line: 26%
- Above the poverty line: 73%
7. North Carolina
- Population: 296,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, India
- U.S. residency: 46% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 54% speak English
- Industries of employment: construction, hospitality industry, professional, management, administration.
- Below the poverty line: 31%
- Above the poverty line: 69%
6. New York
- Population: 835,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador
- U.S. residency: 38% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 55% speak English
- Industries of employment: hospitality industry; construction; professional, management, administration; retail trade.
- Below the poverty line: 24%
- Above the poverty line: 76%
5. Illinois
- Population: 425,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, India, Philippines, China, Guatemala
- U.S. residency: 53% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 58% speak English
- Industries of employment: manufacturing; hospitality industry; professional, management, administration.
- Below the poverty line: 22%
- Above the poverty line: 78%
4. New Jersey
- Population: 290,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, India, Guatemala, El Salvador, Dominican Republic
- U.S. residency: 35% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 55% speak English
- Industries of employment: construction; professional, management administration; hospitality
- Below the poverty line: 23%
- Above the poverty line: 67%
3. Florida
- Population: 772,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia
- U.S. residency: 32% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 55% speak English
- Industries of employment: construction; professional, management administration; hospitality; retail trade.
- Below the poverty line: 28%
- Above the poverty line: 72%
2. Texas
- Population: 1,739,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, India
- U.S. residency: 45% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 47% speak English
- Industries of employment: construction; hospitality industry; professional, management, administration; manufacturing.
- Below the poverty line: 29%
- Above the poverty line: 71%
1. California
- Population: 2,739,000
- Top countries of origin: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Philippines, India
- U.S. residency: 53% have lived in the country for 2o or more years.
- Language proficiency: 51% speak English
- Industries of employment: hospitality industry; construction; professional, management, administration; manufacturing
- Below the poverty line: 25%
- Above the poverty line: 75%
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