Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

From Freepedia

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 (also named Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986) is an American law that was created in order to stop illegal immigration from Mexico, which was seen as a threat to the economy.

The law criminalized the act of knowingly hiring an undocumented worker and established financial and other penalties for those employing illegal aliens, because it was thought that not as many people would be attracted to enter the U.S. illegally if the prospects for employment were low. A one-year amnesty program for illegal aliens who had already worked and lived in the U.S. since January 1982 was established. Those eligible could apply for regularization of status and eventually full citizenship. The law also mandated the intensification of Border Patrol activities.