Immigration Reform and Control Act - Research Paper Example

Other programs like the Agricultural worker program also provided permanent residency status to more illegal immigrants. Border patrols were enforced while all employers were required to verify the legal status of the job candidates as regards the authority to work in the US within three days after employment offer. The Act led to increase in the number of illegal immigrants and other social problems like low wages. Immigration reform and Control Act Immigration Reform and Control Act-requirements and issues in workplace Introduction Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 was enacted to deal with various immigration problems.

Section 1324a of the Act prohibits employees to hire or continue employing illegal immigrants with prior knowledge that the employee is an illegal immigrant. All employers are required to make proper verification that all employees are legalized to work in the U.S including the American citizens, aliens holding express authority from the attorney General to work in the US and resident aliens (Schultz, 2000). According to the opponents, granting amnesty and sanctioning employees did not deter illegal immigrations.

Allocation of billions of dollars on border patrols and hiring of additional border enforcement agents could not solve the illegal immigration problem unless the US demand for cheap labor was addressed. This paper shall examine the pros and cons of the Act and effects in the workplace and society. Employers are required to submit form 1-9 detailing the documentation of the employees together with identities and authorization to work in the US. Failure to verify the employee documentation and identity will subject the employer to a fine ranging from $ 110 per worker without the Form 1-9 to a maximum penalty of $ 1,100 per worker without the documentation (Schultz, 2000).

The debate of the impact of the Act has attracted intense demand with proponents arguing that it was effective in deterring illegal aliens and reducing social problems in the society. On the other hand, opponents of the Act reduced availability of cheap labor in the economy and slowed down economic growth in the agricultural sector (Smith, 1997). The Act aimed at controlling the high flow of undocumented immigrants in to the US and ensuring on authorized residents were entitled to the available job opportunities.

The Act sought for increased border surveillance and enforcement of immigration laws and amnesty program for the undocumented immigrants who met certain minimum standards for authorization as legal aliens (Powell, 2005). About 2.3 undocumented aliens from Mexico were granted permanent resident status in the US. The Act provided for sanctions on employers who knowingly employed illegal immigrants unauthorized to work in the US or continued employment of those illegal aliens (Schultz, 2000). The Act also provided sanctions for employers who hired employees without verifying and properly documenting the identity and legal status of the employee in regards to the ability to work in the US (Smith, 1997.

More employers were penalized for undue diligence in verifying the identity of the prospective employees and not filing documentation requirements with the relevant authorities (Laet, 2000). On border enforcement program, the Act provided for 50 percent increase in border patrol manpower to apprehend the illegal immigrants along the border points and especially the US-Mexico border. Additional funds were utilized in deporting illegal immigrants