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 North Carolina, 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, state laws can also impact immigrants in various ways. For example, North Carolina requires employers to use the federal E-Verify system to check the work authorization of new hires. Law enforcement in the state may also cooperate with federal immigration authorities in certain circumstances. Additionally, North Carolina has specific requirements for driver's licenses and restricts access to certain public benefits for those without lawful immigration status. It's important to note that while states can enact laws that affect immigrants, they cannot create their own immigration policies that contradict federal law.