The 2025 State Legislative Session: Trends in Immigration & Refugee Policy at the State Level

Across the country, state legislatures have spent the first few months of 2025 in session, deliberating and determining what will become law for the years to come. As we move closer to summer, most sessions will come to an end—meaning that if a bill is to become a state law in 2025, it must happen quickly.

The Global Refuge Advocacy Team has been monitoring legislation across the country, observing trends, and responding as needed. Here are a few of the trends related to immigration and refugee policy at the state level that we observed across the country during the 2025 legislative session.

Children’s Access to Public Education

In the United States, every child has a right to public education, no matter their race, ethnicity, country of origin, or immigration status. During this legislative session, lawmakers in states such as New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas have sought to challenge this right through legislation that would charge students tuition or require the federal government to pay for their education if they are undocumented. Most recently, the Tennessee Senate passed SB 0836, which allows Tennessee schools to decide whether to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in states such as Georgia, Massachusetts, and Washington have introduced bills that reinforce the right to education for all children. The Washington State Senate recently passed SB 5123, which expands anti-discrimination protections (including immigration status) in Washington public schools.

Language Access

Language access policy ensures that all people have access to services no matter their English proficiency. During this legislative session, at least four states (Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Nevada) have seen bills that would either establish or expand the state’s language access policy. The Maryland legislature recently passed HB 1473, which enhances the state’s current policy and ensures equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency.

Immigration Enforcement

Several state legislatures have considered bills that would expand their state’s collaboration with the federal government in enforcing immigration law. Other state legislatures advanced legislation that would codify a sensitive locations policy, protecting certain areas from immigration enforcement. The Maryland Legislature recently passed HB 1222, which establishes public schools, public libraries, courthouses, state-run health care facilities, and other state-funded locations as “sensitive locations” where immigration enforcement is limited unless an immigration enforcement officer presents a valid warrant.

In March, Global Refuge testified in support of the Maryland Protecting Sensitive Locations Act when it was part of another bill.

What You Can Do

Depending on where you live, your state’s legislative session might be close to ending, but that should not stop you from planning for the next legislative session. We invite you to start considering ways to engage in local efforts to advocate for policies that promote welcome and integration.

• Participate in local coalitions that include the immigrant and refugee community.

• Reach out to your state legislators and invite them to events in the community. Build relationships and momentum for the next legislative session.

• Use Global Refuge’s State and Local Advocacy Toolkit as a resource and know you can reach out to us for support.

Ready to take action? The time is now.