Immigration Law Basics
U.S. immigration law is a federal system built on statutes (the INA), regulations (such as the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8), and agency guidance from USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor.
These rules control:
- Who qualifies to enter temporarily or permanently
- How family and employment-based petitions are processed
- When someone may be placed in removal (deportation) proceedings
- How people can become lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens







