Which level of government has the power to regulate immigration?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Study for the Alabama Civics Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions that include hints and explanations. Get ready to excel on your exam!

The federal government holds the exclusive authority to regulate immigration in the United States. This power is derived from the Constitution, which grants Congress the responsibility to create and enforce immigration laws. The federal government manages aspects such as visas, refugee status, and naturalization processes.

This level of government is tasked with ensuring national security and maintaining control over who enters and resides in the country. State and local governments, while they may have certain roles in enforcing specific laws (such as local law enforcement), do not have the authority to create their own immigration policies—this could lead to inconsistent and contradictory regulations throughout the country. Additionally, there is no international government that has the jurisdiction to regulate immigration into a specific nation. Therefore, the federal government stands as the sole authority in this domain, making it the correct answer.