BACKGROUND: Approximately 11 million immigrants without legal status live in the United States and many of these individuals live in areas that are prone to natural hazards. While there is sufficient literature to suggest that these individuals are more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters and are less prepared for disasters, there is limited understanding of natural disaster risk perception, behavioral intentions, and trust in disaster assistance among individuals or their immediate family members lacking legal status (IFLLS) in the United States. To address this gap, this study sought to describe and compare risk perception, barriers to evacuation, and trust in disaster assistance between legal citizens and IFLLS. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted from April 24 to June 3, 2024. Survey respondents were asked about their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, their risk perceptions and attitudes regarding natural hazards, reasons for not complying with evacuation orders, and their trust in assistance offered by various entities during the response to natural hazards. Pearson chi-square tests and Cramér's V were used to investigate the association between IFLLS and variables of interest. RESULTS: 2,989 individuals completed the survey and 284 reported that they identified as IFLLS. Statistically significant relationships existed between IFLLS and residing in an area that experiences natural hazards, having been previously impacted by a disaster, anticipating being impacted by a natural hazard within the next 12 months, various reasons for noncompliance with evacuation orders, and trust in assistance offered during disaster response. There were not statistically significant relationships between IFLLS and the belief that preparedness for natural hazards is important or concern about natural hazards becoming more severe or frequent in the future. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first nationally representative examination of disaster risk faced by IFLLS in the United States, as well as the barriers to evacuation. These findings highlight the importance of developing disaster preparedness and response plans that incorporate the needs of IFLLS, as these groups face higher risk. Preparedness and response policies must consider and address the unique barriers faced by IFLLS.