STUDY: Where Are Immigrants Searching for Legal Help the Most? A State-by-State Look at Demand in the U.S.
Immigration is dominating the headlines — again. From proposed border crackdowns to sweeping policy promises, the legal uncertainty facing immigrants in the U.S. is growing by the day. In this climate, millions are going online in search of answers: “Do I qualify for asylum?” “How do I avoid deportation?” “Where can I find an immigration lawyer near me?”
While national leaders debate policies, immigrants are taking matters into their own hands — and turning to search engines for legal help.
Our new study reveals which states have the highest demand for immigration legal support, based not on headlines but on what people are actually searching for. The findings are eye-opening: states like Maine and West Virginia — not traditional immigration hubs — top the list.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Maine leads the nation with 28,052 monthly searches per 10,000 undocumented immigrants.
- West Virginia follows with 21,946 searches, despite having one of the smallest immigrant populations.
- Montana, Vermont, and North Dakota round out the top five.
- Nevada, a state with one of the largest undocumented populations, ranks last with just 3500 searches per 10k.
- States with stricter immigration enforcement policies do not consistently show higher search demand.
- Legal search intensity is often highest in rural or underserved areas.
Top 10 States with the Highest Search Demand for Immigration Legal Help
<em>You can access the full research findings </em><a href=”https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRxxoFTBKK5B0sSIch9ZniMa5AGBBtuBli__Ad6prqxi4sK1FBOfvr6Lsr-XnXl-67wDQ50r6O3hpPp/pubhtml”><em>here.</em></a>
These states ranked highest in monthly searches per 10,000 undocumented immigrations.
Key Observation: These are not always states with the largest immigrant communities – but they’re among the most active in seeking help online.
| State | Undocumented Immigrants | % of Undocumented Immigrants | State Laws on Immigration Enforcement (1-5) | Search Volume per 10k Undocumented Immigrants |
| Maine | 5,800 | 0.41% | 3 | 28,052 |
| West Virginia | 5,600 | 0.32% | 2.4 | 21,946 |
| Montana | 4,600 | 0.40% | 2.9 | 18,413 |
| Vermont | 4,700 | 0.72% | 3.55 | 14,957 |
| North Dakota | 7,000 | 0.87% | 2.95 | 13,086 |
| Kentucky | 52,900 | 1.14% | 3 | 11,053 |
| New Hampshire | 14,500 | 1.02% | 3 | 11,021 |
| Michigan | 110,700 | 1.09% | 3 | 10,339 |
| Minnesota | 80,400 | 1.38% | 3 | 9,944 |
| Missouri | 67,900 | 1.08% | 2.95 | 9,891 |
Where Search Demand Is Lowest
At the other end of the scale, these states showed the least number of legal help searches per 10k undocumented immigrants:
<em>You can access the full research findings </em><a href=”https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRxxoFTBKK5B0sSIch9ZniMa5AGBBtuBli__Ad6prqxi4sK1FBOfvr6Lsr-XnXl-67wDQ50r6O3hpPp/pubhtml”><em>here.</em></a>
These states have more significant immigrant populations and more legal service infrastructure, meaning immigrants may not need to rely on online searches as often.
Does Enforcement Policy Impact Search Behavior?
We compared each state’s immigration enforcement score (from lenient [1] to strict [5]) to its search demand:
- Strict states like Texas (4.8) and Florida (4.4) had low per-capita search volumes — possibly due to fear of online visibility or established local services.
- More moderate states like Kentucky (3.0) and Maine (3.0) saw much higher search rates.
Interpretation: Search behavior may reflect a mix of legal urgency, trust in online tools, and availability of in-person help.
What Are Immigrants Searching For – and Where?
Search behavior reveals not only legal urgency but also specific types of help sought, from general laws to one-on-one consultations. A few standout trends:
- California generated the highest total search volume by far, with over 1 million monthly queries, including 457,950 for “immigration attorney,” 346,640 for “immigration laws,” and 111,700 for “immigration legal services.”
- Texas ranked second in total search volume, with 321,540 searches for “immigration attorney,” 231,180 for “immigration laws,” and over 355,000 monthly queries across all terms.
- Florida, New York, and Illinois each recorded 100,000+ monthly searches, with notable spikes in terms like “immigration lawyer near me” and “immigration lawyer consultation”.
What This Means for Immigration Attorneys, Advocates, and Communities
“What’s happening in states like Maine, West Virginia, and Montana is more than statistical — it’s structural. High search activity in low-resource areas points to a serious lack of accessible immigration support.
Behind every search is a legal question unanswered — and often, a person unrepresented. This should guide how law firms, legal aid groups, and policymakers allocate their efforts.”, says Arinda Brooks, Founding Attorney at Brooks Law.
Final Takeaway
“Search engines don’t reflect curiosity — they reflect need. Each query about immigration law is a sign that someone is seeking protection, clarity, or hope in a moment of uncertainty.”
Reliable immigration counsel is needed far beyond major cities. Legal professionals must recognize the demand in rural and underserved areas, where access to support is often limited.
At Brooks Law, every individual deserves a clear path forward — and we’re here to provide it.
— Arinda Brooks,
Founding Attorney, Brooks Law
| State | Undocumented Immigrants | % of Undocumented Immigrants | State Laws on Immigration Enforcement (1-5) | Search Volume per 10k Undocumented Immigrants |
| Maine | 5,800 | 0.41% | 3 | 28,052 |
| West Virginia | 5,600 | 0.32% | 2.4 | 21,946 |
| Montana | 4,600 | 0.40% | 2.9 | 18,413 |
| Vermont | 4,700 | 0.72% | 3.55 | 14,957 |
| North Dakota | 7,000 | 0.87% | 2.95 | 13,086 |
| Kentucky | 52,900 | 1.14% | 3 | 11,053 |
| New Hampshire | 14,500 | 1.02% | 3 | 11,021 |
| Michigan | 110,700 | 1.09% | 3 | 10,339 |
| Minnesota | 80,400 | 1.38% | 3 | 9,944 |
| Missouri | 67,900 | 1.08% | 2.95 | 9,891 |
All figures were cleaned and normalized for comparative analysis across all 50 U.S. states. Please find the full research here.