Immigration Control and Reform Act

The Immigration Control and Reform Act (ICRA), passed in 1986, aimed to address illegal immigration in the United States. It had two main components: it made it illegal to knowingly hire undocumented immigrants and required employers to verify workers' legal status. Additionally, the law provided a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants who had lived in the U.S. since before 1982, allowing them to apply for legal status. The Act was intended to create a more balanced approach to immigration control while recognizing the contributions of long-term undocumented residents.