In brief
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection data highlights a noteworthy migration shift from California to states like Florida and Utah. Miami leads in per-capita immigrant arrivals, marking a trend where established communities are increasingly attracting newcomers. While Texas saw the highest number of arrivals, the data indicates a broader diversification of migrant origins as more than 100 countries are represented among individuals arriving at the border. The landscape of migration continues to evolve as political and social factors influence movement within the U.S.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver; and Fort Myers, Florida, were hot places to settle. California lost some of its appeal.
The Associated Press obtained U.S. Customs and Border Protection data on self-reported destinations of nearly 2.5 million people who crossed the border illegally or they came legally through an online appointment app called CBP One from May 12, 2023, to Jan. 18, 2025. U.S. border authorities must collect street addresses of anyone released in the United States with humanitarian protections or with notices to appear in immigration court to pursue asylum.
While many immigrants may have moved, the data opens a window into how an unprecedented increase in immigrants played out across the country. The data covered the period when President Joe Biden’s administration ended COVID-19 restrictions on asylum to when President Donald Trump began his second term and declared a national emergency at the border.
The data reflects a decades-long trend away from California to other areas that became popular as job openings flourished.
It also shows the impact of migrants from more than 100 countries in recent years appearing at the border, a break from the past when they were largely from Mexico and Central America. People from Venezuela and neighboring South American countries became a major presence after COVID-19, making Florida a bigger draw because communities of those nationalities were already well-established.
2,191
Miami led all U.S. metropolitan areas per capita with 2,191 immigrant arrivals for every 100,000 residents. That was followed by Fort Myers with 1,782; Salt Lake City with 1,685; Denver with 1,673; and New York with 1,542.
Other areas included Orlando, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Louisville, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Chicago, each exceeding 1,000 arrivals per 100,000 residents.
California had no metropolitan area with 1,000 arrivals for every 100,000 residents, though San Jose came close.
By sheer numbers, New York had 300,650 arrivals, more than double any other. Only Texas, Florida, California, and Illinois had more than 100,000 newcomers.
1,271
Florida topped all states per-capita with 1,271 immigrant arrivals for every 100,000 residents. California ranked 13th with 644 arrivals per 100,000 residents.
The number of migrants released at the border climbed significantly during various presidencies, peaking under President Biden.
Illegal crossings saw a decline following severe asylum restrictions implemented by Biden and Trump.
