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 Georgia, as in all states, immigration law is primarily governed by federal statutes and regulations, as the authority to regulate immigration is a federal power. This includes laws pertaining to visas, green cards, asylum, deportation, and citizenship. However, Georgia has state laws that affect immigrants as well. For example, Georgia requires the use of the E-Verify system for employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Law enforcement in Georgia may also cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Additionally, Georgia has restrictions on issuing driver's licenses and providing public benefits to undocumented immigrants. It's important for immigrants in Georgia to be aware of both federal immigration laws and the specific state statutes that can impact their rights and responsibilities.