Can you sue an illegal immigrant in civil court?

Generally, both legal and illegal immigrants have the right to bring suit in United States federal court. Federal civil rights statutes also expressly permit aliens to bring claims of civil rights violations in federal court. States have generally provided aliens with access to their court systems as well, provided that the alien resides within the particular state.

U.S. courts typically grant nonresident aliens the right to sue only if the cause of action arose within the United States. A series of recent U.S. Supreme Court cases, however, has determined that non-resident aliens detained by U.S. military forces may bring suit in U.S. federal court.