Top 10 States That Took in the Most Refugees -

The United States continues to bring in thousands of refugees every year through the official U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

At the same time, the Trump administration has imposed new travel restrictions and entry bans on countries that officials link to security or terrorism concerns. Because of this, many people want to know how many refugees still arrive from those restricted nations and which states take in the most.

According to the FY 2025 report “Arrivals by State and Nationality” from the U.S. Refugee Processing Center, a total of 38,102 refugees were admitted. These were legally admitted refugees, not illegal border crossers or other migrant categories.

Top 10 States That Took in the Most Refugees

The same federal report shows that refugee resettlement is not spread evenly across the country. Instead, a small group of states takes in most of the arrivals.

Here are the top ten states by number of refugees received in FY 2025:

1. Texas – 3,923
2. California – 3,044
3. New York – 2,438
4. Florida – 1,513
5. Pennsylvania – 1,504
6. Ohio – 1,500
7. Illinois – 1,454
8. Georgia – 1,442
9. Minnesota – 1,337
10. Washington – 1,320

These ten states alone account for a large share of all refugees who arrived in the country last fiscal year. This makes them key destinations in any national discussion about refugee policy and resettlement.

Which Countries Face Bans or Restrictions?

In June 2025, the Trump administration issued Proclamation 10949, which restricts or bans entry from 19 countries.

Twelve nations face a broad suspension of entry, while seven others face partial restrictions on certain visa types or categories.

The restricted list includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

While the policy targets security risks, the refugee program still allows some people from these countries to enter after extensive vetting and under specific exceptions.

How Many Refugees Came From Restricted Countries?

According to the 2025 FY Refugee Processing Center report, 21,105 refugees were admitted from the 19 countries that now face full or partial entry bans or restrictions under the Trump administration. Afghanistan led all countries with 6,758 refugees, while Venezuela followed with 4,589. Burma contributed 3,547 refugees, and Somalia added another 2,496.

This number highlights a critical tension. On one hand, the federal government has tightened travel rules for certain countries. On the other hand, the United States has admitted tens of thousands of people fleeing war, persecution, and instability from those same regions.

As debates over immigration and national security continue, these facts help show what is really happening on the ground in our refugee program.

The Takeaway

More than 21,000 refugees arrived in the United States in the last year from countries the Trump administration classifies as high-risk or dangerous. These individuals entered through the legal refugee pipeline, but the sheer volume underscores why public awareness matters.

The recent National Guard attack in Washington, D.C. shows why vigilance is essential — even with vetting systems in place, dangerous individuals can still slip through, proving that current screening has not fully protected American citizens from those who choose to do harm.

As a populace, we must understand the scale of these arrivals, stay informed about federal resettlement decisions, and remain aware of who is entering our towns and cities. Awareness is not fear — it is responsibility. By knowing the facts, communities can better protect their values, their safety, and their future.

Where does your state stand?