FAQs

  • The Immigration Policy Climate (IPC) Index is a longitudinal measure of structural xenophobia and the immigration-related policies enacted by U.S. states over time. The index tracks the immigration policy environment in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia from 2009 to 2023, capturing both exclusionary and inclusionary policies that affect immigrants.

    The IPC Index categorizes and quantifies 14 key policies across four domains:

    • Access to Benefits

    • Higher Education

    • Employment and Identification

    • Immigration Enforcement

    The data is valuable for understanding the structural drivers of immigrant lives, comparing state-level policy climates over time, and conducting longitudinal research on immigrant outcomes and public policy.

    Researchers, policymakers, and advocacy organizations use the IPC Index to analyze patterns of exclusionary or inclusionary policies and their impact on immigrant populations across states. The IPC Index provides a clear, standardized measure for comparing state-level immigration policies and helps in assessing structural xenophobia at the state level.

  • You can access the IPC Index dataset by submitting a request via our Request Data page.

    To request the data:

    • Step 1: Visit the Request Data page on the website.

    • Step 2: Fill out the form with your details, including the specific data years and variables you are interested in.

    • Step 3: Submit your request. Our team will review it and respond with the appropriate dataset.

    If you have specific questions about the data or require customized data, please feel free to contact us directly.

  • Once you’ve submitted a data request, you should receive a response within 10 business days. If we need additional information or clarification regarding your request, our team may reach out to you directly. If you don’t hear back within this timeframe, please feel free to follow up by emailing us.

  • The current version of the IPC Index includes refinements to the coding process and adjustments based on feedback and further research conducted by our team.

    For existing users who have relied on the 2009–2019 data:

    • The changes are not substantial enough to invalidate previous conclusions based on the older dataset. The historical data still holds its value for long-term trend analysis.

    • However, if you are comparing the old version to the updated one, some discrepancies may arise in scores due to new coding decisions and refinements in the methodology.

    • The updated version integrates some dimensions of legal status, and it will provide more nuanced insights on policies by legal status in future research.

    If you have used the old version of the data, we recommend reviewing the methodology section and coding key on the website to understand how the changes might affect your analyses.

  • If you would like to cite the IPC Index in your research, please use the following format:

    • Samari Goleen, Nagle Amanda, and Coleman-Minahan Kate. 2021. “Measuring Structural Xenophobia: Immigration Policy Climates Over Ten Years.” Social Science & Medicine – Population Health.

  • We are committed to maintaining an up-to-date dataset that captures shifts in the immigration policy landscape. However, we will batch update the IPC every couple of years. 2025 through 2027 updates will take place in the summer of 2028.

    We will make sure to announce any major updates or changes on the website and ensure that the updated data is available for users to access.

  • The IPC Index employs a transparent and iterative coding process to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. Throughout the study period (2009–2024), any ambiguities or discrepancies in policy coding were carefully addressed by the study team through the following steps:

    • Regular meetings: The team held consistent discussions to resolve any issues that arose during the coding process.

    • Cross-referencing policies: Discrepancies were cross-checked with the original bills, policies, or legal documents whenever possible to ensure that the coding accurately reflected the intended policy changes.

  • The scores in the IPC Index range from −12 to 12 for each state, with the following interpretations:

    • Negative Scores (−1 to −12): Indicate an exclusionary environment for immigrants. States with these scores tend to pass policies that restrict access to benefits, services, or protections based on immigration status. More negative scores indicate a stronger exclusionary climate.

    • Neutral Scores (0): States with these scores do not specifically include or exclude immigrants. They may have policies that neither support nor restrict access to certain services, such as health care or education.

    • Positive Scores (+1 to +12): Indicate an inclusionary environment for immigrants. States with these scores have policies that actively extend benefits or protections to immigrants, such as offering in-state tuition to undocumented students or providing state-funded health insurance for undocumented children.