Immigration Law

This article provides information on the size and the composition of North Carolina's immigrant population, and data on its economic impact.

From the coeditors: Over the last two decades, newcomers to North Carolina have included large numbers of immigrants from many countries, but particularly from Latin America and Asia. Immigration is generally regulated at the federal level, but its impact is increasingly felt at state and local levels. Ten years ago, Popular Government offered an indepth examination of immigration (see the Fall 1999 issue). Much has changed since then, yet immigration still is a heated and complex topic, often at the forefront of governments’ and citizens’ concerns. This issue of Popular Government explores some of the ways in which state and local governments and communities have responded to North Carolina’s growing immigrant population. The articles address (1) the growing involvement of county sheriffs and other local law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration law, and the costs and the benefits of that involvement; (2) local governments’ authority to enact immigrations laws and policies, and the extent to which such measures run afoul of federal law; and (3) immigrants’ access to primary, secondary, and higher education, and the corollary issue of teaching students—both U.S. citizens and immigrants—whose limited proficiency in English presents a barrier to their academic achievement. We hope that these articles will assist local and state policy makers, administrators, and communities as they respond to the challenges and the opportunities posed by North Carolina’s changing demographics.

In a question and answer format, this bulletin provides law enforcement and other government officials with guidance related to U visa certification for noncitizen crime victims who have been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

Public employers are subject to the same laws and regulations designed to limit the employment of unauthorized immigrant workers. This bulletin provides an introduction to issues such as understanding the I-9 work authorization form, how to respond to the “no-match” letter, and deciding whether or not to participate in the E-Verify program.

This bulletin provides state and local officials with an introduction to immigration law, policy and procedures, and provides a broad picture of noncitizens in North Carolina.

This bulletin explains general preemption principles and provides an analytical tool for determining whether state or local immigration laws may be preempted and thus invalidated by federal laws.

Using a step-by-step approach to the immigration consequences of a criminal conviction, this essential guide explains the different types of immigration status and the various criminal convictions that trigger removal (deportation) in light of a person's immigration status. Included is a detailed chart of immigration consequences of various North Carolina offenses as well as a removable, laminated checklist highlighting the key consequences.

Explains how federal law categorizes noncitizens for purposes of benefit eligibility. It then describes the legal rules for determining noncitizens’ eligibility for federal, state, and local benefits.

This article addresses the laws prohibiting national origin discrimination in employment, surveys relevant cases, and suggests steps that public-sector employers can take to demonstrate their commitment to diversity and tolerance in the workplace.

This article discusses the legal remedies available to immigrant victims of domestic violence.