Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA, 1986)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (8 U.S.C. § 1324a et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The IRCA was passed to address concerns about unauthorized immigration. It combined stronger enforcement with a legalization program, attempting to balance border security with humanitarian relief.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Before IRCA, there were no federal penalties for employers hiring unauthorized immigrants. IRCA introduced employer sanctions while providing a path to legal status for many undocumented residents.