Virginia named best state for immigrants in the US this year
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: The U.S. Department Of Homeland Security logo is displayed on a sign at a Citizenship and Immigration Services office on January 16, 2026 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
VIRGINIA - As the Trump Administration continues its crackdown on immigration across the United States, a new study is revealing the "most immigrant-friendly" states in the country.
What we know:
Virginia was named the "Best State for Immigrants" in a 2026 study by SmileHub, while Maryland ranked at No. 17.
The study compared all 50 states across three key factors: social environment and support, economic environment and legal environment and stability detractors.
Based on those metrics, Alaska came in last place, becoming the worst state for immigrants this year.
5 best states for immigrants
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Nebraska
- Arkansas
- North Carolina
5 worst states for immigrants
- Alaska
- Oregon
- Hawaii
- Arizona
- New Mexico
Dig deeper:
Nearly 52 million immigrants live and work in the United States as of early 2025, according to Pew Research Center.
The Trump Administration has deported more than 605,000 immigrants, who they say entered the US illegally, since President Donald Trump returned to office in 2025.
The president's efforts to ramp up deportation using Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents have come under fire, sparking protests nationwide.
Renee Nicole Macklin Good, Old Dominion graduate, mourned by Virginia university community
The woman shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday was identified as Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37‑year‑old mother of three who was also a graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia.
In January, two people were fatally shot by federal law enforcement during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.
Democrats are pushing for stricter immigration enforcement, voting against a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which resulted in the current partial government shutdown.
The Source: Information from this article was sourced from Smile Hub, Pew Research Center, the White House and previous reporting by FOX 5 DC.