The Newshound

Data reveals where 4.5 million migrants who surged across the US border ended up across America

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Federal records spanning October 2018 to July 2025 show migrants increasingly settled in smaller towns such as Elkhart, Indiana, and Dodge City, Kansas, rather than traditional gateway cities.
Federal records spanning October 2018 to July 2025 show migrants increasingly settled in smaller towns such as Elkhart, Indiana, and Dodge City, Kansas, rather than traditional gateway cities.

Exclusive data from an AP investigation has mapped the full scale of the unprecedented border crossing surge, tracking where 4.5 million migrants dispersed across the United States after entering. The findings lay bare how deeply the influx reshaped American communities, with arrivals spreading far beyond border states into cities and towns across the country.

The data represents the most detailed public accounting yet of who the migrants were and which states absorbed the largest numbers.

The surge — now a defining issue of Trump's second term — transformed local services, housing and labour markets across dozens of states.

MoreThe IndependentWhere 4.5 million migrants ended up as border surge reshaped Americathedailystar.comA border surge reshaped America. Now, data shows who 4.5 million migrants were and where they went - thedailystar.comAPAfter the border: Exclusive data reveals how unprecedented border crossings reshaped AmericaAL.comA border surge reshaped America. Data shows where 4.5 million migrants went - AL.com
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