With Donald Trump back in the White House following the 2024 election, immigration policy in the United States has entered an even more stringent phase.
His presidency since January 2025 has brought sweeping executive orders, expanded deportation powers, travel bans, and heightened enforcement—all reshaping the immigration landscape and pushing many immigrants to seek refuge in states perceived as more welcoming.
Trump’s Intensified Immigration Crackdown: Why It Matters
- Aggressive executive actions: From Day One, Trump issued a flurry of immigration-related executive orders and proclamations—over 100 within his first days—revoking Biden-era protections and ramping up enforcement
- “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” (EO 14159): Signed January 20, 2025, this order institutes:
- Expanded expedited removal (deportation without hearings)
- Withholding federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions
- Mandatory registration for undocumented immigrants, criminal and civil penalties
- Increasing ICE and CBP workforce, expanding 287(g) agreements.
- Alien Enemies Act invoked for deportations: In March, Trump invoked this archaic 1798 law to deport Venezuelans allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang—prompting lawsuits and emergency court orders.
- Mass deportations & harsh enforcement: Over 139,000 individuals have been deported so far under the new administration, including transfers to harsh foreign prison systems; National Guard deployed; habeas corpus considerations raised.
- Sanctuary city backlash: Chicago’s mayor has officially barred police from aiding federal ICE raids. Legal challenges have also blocked efforts to defund sanctuary areas.
- Labor impact: Over 1.2 million immigrants have left the U.S. labor force between January and July 2025, leading to shortages in agriculture, construction, and health care.
Which States Offer the Most Protection for Immigrants?
Despite federal pressure, some states continue offering legal safeguards or resistance against immigration enforcement. Based on recent analyses:
The States With the Most Protective Laws
Two states have the strongest laws protecting immigrants: Oregon (4.3) and Illinois (4.3). Three others also have fairly broad sanctuary statutes: California (3.95), New Jersey (4.05), and Washington (4.05).
In these territories, local law enforcement is not involved in deportations, and immigrant communities are generally better integrated. Their children are less likely to live in fear of losing a parent to deportation, access to justice is protected, and crime rates are declining, according to research by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. When ICE carried out its first raid in Chicago, one of the largest sanctuary cities in the country, last January, the state’s Democratic authorities refused to participate in the operation.
Other Top-Tier Immigrant-Friendly U.S. States
According to a mid-2025 analysis, the most immigrant-friendly states include:
- Vermont (score 3.55)
- Connecticut (3.50)
- Colorado (3.35)
- Maryland (3.25).
These states have enacted laws providing protections and limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, making them safer destinations compared to states that actively aid enforcement.
Moderately Protective States
- New York and Rhode Island (both score 3.1): While offering some protections, New York has introduced nuances—NYC’s mayor has signaled cooperation in some cases.
States Collaborating with ICE Enforcement
These states have policies that require local law enforcement to coordinate with ICE, advancing Trump’s deportation agenda:
- Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina (scores range 2.45–2.95) ([EL PAÍS English][10]).
Choosing Where to Move: Factors to Weigh
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| State laws and protections | States like Vermont and Connecticut actively limit collaboration with ICE, offering more legal insulation. |
| Sanctuary city presence | Cities like Chicago have resisted federal enforcement orders, offering a localized layer of safety. |
| Legal and judicial resistance | States and cities challenging EO 14159 or federal defunding efforts may better protect immigrant rights. |
| Community & economic viability | States with established immigrant populations may offer more support networks and opportunity. |
| Federal judicial overlays | Nationwide injunctions (e.g. on funding cuts to sanctuary areas) provide temporary legal shields in some jurisdictions. |
Current Legal & Political Context
- Judicial rulings provide breathing room: Courts have blocked the Trump administration from expanding expedited removal into the interior U.S., and have struck down attempts to apply the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuelans.
- “Office of Remigration” under fire: A proposed new bureau to encourage “voluntary returns” has raised alarms due to its racialized rhetoric and AFPOrd-like overtones.
- Public opinion split: While Republicans largely support these aggressive measures, a majority of Americans disapprove overall—citing economic harm and civil liberties concerns.
Conclusion & Call to Action
For anyone considering immigration to the U.S. under the current Trump administration, states like Vermont, Connecticut, Colorado, and Maryland appear to offer the most robust workplace laws, legal safeguards, and sanctuary protections.
At the same time, individuals should remain aware of the rapidly shifting legal and political environment—courts may restrict enforcement, but federal authority continues to strengthen.
Consulting with legal experts, monitoring ongoing litigation, and connecting with local immigrant support organizations are essential for navigating this period of heightened uncertainty.
