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 Tennessee, as in all states, immigration law is primarily governed by federal statutes and regulations, which outline the rights and obligations of non-U.S. citizens regarding entry, stay, and residency in the United States. The federal government has the primary authority to enforce immigration laws. However, Tennessee state laws also impact immigrants, both legal and illegal. For instance, Tennessee employers are required to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of their workers to ensure they are authorized to work in the U.S. State law enforcement may also cooperate with federal authorities in immigration matters. Additionally, Tennessee has regulations concerning driver's license requirements, where proof of lawful presence may be necessary to obtain a driver's license. Public benefits in Tennessee are generally restricted to lawful residents, and there are limitations placed on the availability of these benefits to individuals who do not have legal immigration status.