Are states allowed to make laws that treat nonresidents differently than residents?

Answer 1

Yes, indeed they are. A resident of a state can be treated as differently as an alien from a different country would be treated when in the U.S. Although, most states do not treat people differently to this great of an extreme, each state has their own laws that govern them. Although each state is guided by the national legal system, there are certain items in state laws that D.C. doesn't try to override and D.C. gives every state a sense of sovereignty. As long as state law doesn't differ extremely from national law they are usually left to their own device. For instance, state colleges can charge a nonresident more than a resident for tuition, yet it is illegal for a state to abolish abortion because it goes against national law of the Roe V. Wade decision. A state may allow same-sex marriage or not allow them. One state may allow you to drive 80mph on their portion of the interstate and 75 on their state highways and when you cross into the bordering state, their interstate speed could be 70mph. There are states that allow you to carry a concealed weapon without a permit but if you cross into a neighboring state it may be against the law. It is important that if you plan to visit another state and you aren't sure of their laws that you find out what they are before you travel there, just to keep yourself safe; and remember, as a guest (or nonresident) you may be treated differently. There might be 2 classes of non-resident, one being a citizen of the US from another State, the other a citizen of Another Country. Where a violation, or crime, is committed, there may be bail or incarceration encountered where a resident of the State might be issued an appearance ticket. The question itself is vague, 'treat' would be how the officials were acting toward the subject as opposed to what statute dictated depending on residence of said subject. All people are supposed to be treated equally, statute might dictate different consequence while the subject is 'treated' equally.