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 Maryland, as in all states, immigration law is primarily governed by federal statutes and regulations, which dictate the rights and obligations of non-U.S. citizens wishing to enter, reside, or work in the United States. The federal government has the primary authority to enforce immigration laws. However, Maryland state laws also impact immigrants in various ways. For instance, Maryland participates in the E-Verify program, which employers may use to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. The state has also enacted measures that affect immigrants, such as allowing certain undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and offering in-state tuition rates to undocumented students who meet specific criteria under the Maryland Dream Act. Additionally, Maryland has certain policies and laws that may influence how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities, although these can vary by jurisdiction within the state. It's important to note that while state laws can complement federal immigration laws, they cannot contradict federal immigration policy.