Immigration law in the United States generally includes the rights and obligations of persons who are not U.S. citizens to temporarily visit or more permanently reside in the U.S.—and for federal and state governments to enforce immigration laws regarding visitors and residents.
Most immigration law consists of federal statutes and regulations—but many state laws impact both legal and illegal immigrants—including employment checks, E-Verify, law enforcement, driver's license requirements, public benefits restrictions, and more.
In the United States, immigration law is primarily governed by federal statutes and regulations, which outline the rights and responsibilities of non-citizens seeking to enter or remain in the country. This includes provisions for visas, asylum, green cards, citizenship, and deportation processes. In Alaska, as in other states, while the federal government has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement, state laws can also affect immigrants. For instance, Alaska employers may use the E-Verify system to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the U.S. State law enforcement may also cooperate with federal authorities on immigration matters. Additionally, Alaska has its own requirements for driver's licenses and state identification cards, which can impact immigrants. Public benefits in Alaska are generally restricted to lawful residents, and there are specific eligibility criteria that often exclude non-citizens without legal status. It's important to note that while states like Alaska can enact laws that affect immigrants, these laws must not conflict with federal immigration laws.