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 South 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. For example, South Carolina requires employers to verify the legal status of new hires using the federal E-Verify system. Law enforcement in South Carolina may also cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The state has restrictions on issuing driver's licenses and public benefits to undocumented immigrants. It's important for immigrants in South Carolina to be aware of both federal immigration laws and the specific state statutes that can affect their rights and responsibilities.