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 Texas, 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, Texas has state laws that affect immigrants as well. For example, Texas employers are required to use the federal E-Verify system to check the work eligibility of new employees to ensure they are authorized to work in the United States. Law enforcement in Texas may also inquire about the immigration status of individuals during lawful stops or detentions. Texas has specific requirements for driver's licenses that may impact immigrants, and the state restricts access to certain public benefits for those without legal immigration status. It's important to note that while state laws can impact immigrants, they must not conflict with federal immigration laws.
