Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA, 1996)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (8 U.S.C.)

2) Why It Was Done
IIRIRA was passed to tighten immigration enforcement in response to growing concerns about unauthorized immigration. It expanded deportation grounds, restricted judicial review, and introduced new barriers to legal status.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
IRCA (1986) introduced employer sanctions and legalization but did not stop unauthorized immigration. IIRIRA built on IRCA’s framework by greatly expanding federal enforcement power, often clashing with due process and constitutional protections.