What effect did the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 have on illegal immigrants in the United States?

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 had a significant and direct impact on illegal immigrants in the United States by granting amnesty to approximately 3 million individuals who were already living in the country without legal status. This legislation was aimed at addressing the growing concerns over illegal immigration and aimed to create a pathway to legalization for those who met certain criteria, such as having lived continuously in the U.S. since before 1982 and having no criminal record.

By providing a means for these individuals to obtain legal status, the act was meant to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants and integrate them into society, allowing them to work legally and contribute to the economy. This amnesty provision was a key component of the law and had long-lasting effects on immigration policy and illegal immigration dynamics in the U.S. the focus was not solely on prohibition or elimination of immigration quotas, which were not part of the act's goals.