Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 facts for kids

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), also known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, was a major U.S. law passed in 1986. Ronald Reagan, who was the President at the time, signed it into law on November 6, 1986. This act made big changes to how the United States handled immigration law. It aimed to control illegal immigration while also offering a path to legal status for some people already living in the country.

What the Law Did

The Immigration Reform and Control Act had several important goals. It tried to stop employers from hiring people who did not have legal permission to work in the U.S. It also offered a way for many people who had been living in the country without legal status to become legal residents.

Rules for Employers

One key part of the law was about employers.

• It required businesses to check the immigration status of their employees.
• This meant employers had to make sure their workers were legally allowed to work in the United States.
• It became against the law to knowingly hire or recruit people who were in the country without legal permission.

Path to Legal Status

The act also created a special program for people who had been living in the U.S. without legal status for a long time.

• It allowed certain seasonal agricultural workers, like farm laborers, to apply for legal status.
• Many other people who had entered the United States before January 1, 1982, could also apply to become legal residents.
• To qualify, these individuals had to show they had lived in the U.S. continuously since that date.
• They also had to pay a fine and any back taxes they owed.
• Applicants needed to prove they had not committed serious crimes.
• They also had to show they knew some basic U.S. history, government, and the English language.

Immigration at the Time

When the Immigration Reform and Control Act was passed, many people were living in the United States without legal permission. The government agency in charge of immigration, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, made some predictions. They thought about four million people might apply for legal status through this new law. They also estimated that about half of those applicants would meet the requirements and become legal residents.

Images for kids

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  President Ronald Reagan signs the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 in the Roosevelt Room