About the Reagan amnesty for certain immigrants (1986)

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), also known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, which granted legal status to approximately 2.7 to 3 million undocumented immigrants. 

Who Was Eligible?

The "amnesty" primarily applied to two specific groups: 

• Long-term Residents (LAWs): Undocumented immigrants who could prove they had resided in the U.S. continuously since January 1, 1982.
• Special Agricultural Workers (SAWs): Immigrants who had performed at least 90 days of seasonal agricultural work in the year leading up to May 1986. 

Requirements for Applicants

To qualify, individuals had to meet several strict criteria:

• Documentation: Provide proof of continuous residency, employment history, and financial stability.
• Good Moral Character: Pass a criminal background check and prove they had not been convicted of any felony or three or more misdemeanors.
• Civic Knowledge: Demonstrate a minimal knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the English language.
• Fees: Pay a processing fee (roughly $185) and, in some cases, back taxes. 

Key Provisions of the Act

The law was a bipartisan compromise that combined legalization with enforcement measures: 

• Employer Sanctions: For the first time, it became illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers, mandated by the introduction of the I-9 form.
• Border Security: The act authorized increased funding and resources for the U.S. Border Patrol.
• Path to Citizenship: Successful applicants were granted temporary legal status, which could be converted to permanent residency (a green card) after 18 months, eventually leading to citizenship eligibility. 

Reagan's 1987 Executive Action

Because the 1986 law did not address the status of spouses and children who didn't qualify on their own, Reagan used his executive authority in 1987 to grant a deferral of deportation for minor children (under 18) living with a parent who had been granted amnesty. This action affected approximately 100,000 families. 

         A Facebook inquiry by CSPAN inspired this post.