A new study has revealed Montana as the third-least immigrant-friendly state in the U.S.

The research by Las Vegas-based personal injury lawyers Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers analyzed foreign-born population data, naturalization rates, and population growth trends across ten states from (2009-2013) to (2018-2023). This study measured three main metrics: Foreign-Born Residents (out of 30 points), Persons Naturalized (out of 40 points), and Foreign-Born Resident Population Change (out of 30 points). These three metric scores were totaled to rank the states from least to most immigrant-friendly on a 100-point scale, with the weakest scores indicating greater immigration inaccessibility.

Montana ranks third worst with an immigrant-friendly score of 9.15/100. The Treasure State, with a population of 1,103,187.8, houses 25,327 foreign-born residents (scoring 2.58/30), completed 371.4 naturalizations (scoring 3.19/40), and recorded a numeric change of 5,635 new foreign-born residents (scoring 3.38/30).

Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers commented:

"The research reveals that Montana has the third-lowest immigrant-friendly score among all the U.S. states.

"The findings indicate that states with limited economic diversity and geographic isolation tend to struggle more with immigrant attraction and integration compared to metropolitan and coastal areas. These results emerge during a period of heightened immigration enforcement across the nation, with coordinated federal operations in cities like Los Angeles, generating community unrest and amplifying debates over immigrant protections and public safety.

"Identifying states that face challenges in immigrant integration offers critical lessons for policymakers working to enhance immigration policy effectiveness. The research underscores the need for balanced strategies that combine enforcement measures with accessible pathways to legal status and citizenship, providing frameworks that could help address existing policy gaps while preserving both security priorities and humanitarian obligation.

The study was conducted by Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, an experienced personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting clients' rights and maximizing claim value.

Methodology
The study analyzed foreign-born population data, naturalization rates, and 10-year population growth trends across ten states from 2018 to 2023. These three metric scores were totaled to rank the states from least to most immigrant-friendly on a 100-point scale, with the weakest scores indicating greater immigration inaccessibility.