States Index Scores Lag in Fastest-Growing Immigrant States
A new American Immigration Council tool scores state immigration policies across workforce, services, infrastructure and enforcement.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Immigration
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The American Immigration Council released the States Index, an interactive tool that scores state immigration-related policies across four areas. States with the fastest-growing immigrant populations averaged 1.05 out of 5, below the overall state average of 1.65.
Why it matters
The findings show a gap between where immigrant populations are growing fastest and the strength of supporting state policies. The Index gives policymakers and residents a standardized way to compare state approaches.
The States Index scored states on each policy category and subcategory across workforce, services, infrastructure and enforcement. Fastest-growing immigrant population states averaged 1.05 out of 5, compared with a 1.65 overall state average.
The players
American Immigration Council
A nonprofit organization that researches and advocates on immigration policy in the United States.
The details
North Dakota directed its Global Talent Office to develop strategies helping businesses recruit and retain immigrant workers. Oregon created a statewide right-to-counsel program to connect immigrants to legal services, and New Jersey has worked to expand language access across state government services.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: The American Immigration Council released the States Index analysis.
Next year's legislative session: State leaders plan to consider immigrant-related policies following the midterm elections.
Policy Landscape
The States Index extends the American Immigration Council's research into a state-by-state framework for comparing immigration policy. It shows that states with fast-growing immigrant populations often have weaker supporting policies than the national average.
Residents in states with fast-growing immigrant populations may see changes to workforce, legal aid and language access programs as states respond to these scores. Those programs determine how immigrants access jobs, legal help and government services.
The takeaway
Comparing state immigration policies can show where support for workforce, legal and language services falls short of where immigrant populations are growing. Readers can use the States Index to see how their own state measures up.
What happens next
State leaders are expected to take up immigrant-related policies in next year's legislative session following the midterm elections.
Further reading
Explore more on Immigration policy across the United States.
More information
Read the full States Index analysis press release from the American Immigration Council.
Source note: This article includes information reported by American Immigration Council.
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