The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), enacted in 1986, aimed to address issues surrounding illegal immigration in the United States. It granted legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants who had been living in the country since before 1982, allowing them to apply for citizenship after meeting specific criteria. The law also mandated stricter hiring practices, making it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers. IRCA sought to balance enforcement with compassion, acknowledging the challenges of immigration while promoting legal pathways for immigrants.