Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 aimed to address illegal immigration in the United States. It allowed millions of undocumented immigrants who had been living in the country since before 1982 to apply for legal status. The law also made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers and mandated employment verification processes. The act sought to balance the need for immigration control with compassion for those already in the country, but it faced criticism for not sufficiently addressing the root causes of illegal immigration and for failing to secure U.S. borders effectively.