In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the bill which was co-sponsored by Congressman Romano Mazola (D-KY), and Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) granted amnesty to about 3 million illegal aliens, mostly from Mexico.
Though the American people were told that the Simpson-Mazzoli bill would correct our “broken immigration system” and “bring people out of the shadows,” while ensuring that our borders would be defended, it quickly became obvious that we had been fed a lie…Sound familiar?
The 1986 law introduced for the first time, criminal as well as financial penalties for those who knowingly hire illegal aliens. However, actual prosecutions against employers, particularly large companies discovered to be harboring illegal aliens, have been few and far between.
One result of the law was the widespread use of subcontractors. National, well-known companies began using subcontractors who knowingly hired large numbers of illegal aliens, so if and when they were caught, they could simply claim ignorance and place all of the blame upon the subcontractor.
In 2005, Wal-Mart escaped criminal prosecution when they paid the federal government an $11 million settlement, after it was discovered that cleaning contractors Wal-Mart hired were using large numbers of illegal aliens.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 245 illegal aliens at Wal-Marts in Pennsylvania.
Government prosecutors claimed they had wiretaps to prove that Wal-Mart executives knew illegal aliens were working in their stores.
However, according to the terms of the settlement, Wal-Mart never admitted to any wrongdoing.
Another consequence of the 1986 amnesty, was that the families all those allowed to stay in this country soon followed. This chain migration, very quickly resulted in a huge influx of mostly non-English speaking illegal aliens, and undoubtedly further strained government entitlement programs. Many believe this event was the beginning of the financial disaster which has bankrupted, and in many cases, closed dozens of hospitals in the American southwest.
At the time, many Americans supported the Simpson-Mazzoli bill, either because they were not familiar with it, as illegal immigration was not a big issue at that time, or they trusted that their government still had their best interests at heart.
Even President Reagan fell for the same rhetoric which we hear today from the open borders crowd.
In his diary entry for October 16, 1986, Reagan wrote: “Al Simpson came by to see if he had my support. After 5 years of trying (during which I’ve been on his side) the House finally passed his immigration bill. They have one or two amendments we could do without but even if the Senate in conference cannot get them out, I’ll sign it. It’s high time we regained control of our borders and his bill will do this.”
Does anyone believe that we “regained control of our borders?”
At a campaign rally, last year, Florida Republican Senate candidate Marc Rubio summed up the troubling results of the 1986 amnesty.
Rubio said: “In 1986 Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to 3 million people. You know what happened, in addition to becoming 11 million a decade later? There were people trying to enter the country legally, who had done the paperwork, who were here legally, who were going through the process, who claimed, all of a sudden, ‘No, no no no , I’m illegal.’ Because it was easier to do the amnesty program than it was to do the legal process.”
Rubio went on: “If you grant amnesty, the message that you’re sending is that if you come in this country and stay here long enough, we will let you stay. And no one will ever come through the legal process if you do that.”
Comments
Good column which shows why we must reject any form of "comprehensive immigration reform," "path to citizenship," "earned legalization" etc. MASS AMNESTY!
Remember it was none other than Senator Amnesty, Ted Kennedy, who said the 1986 IRCA amnesty would be the last. As history has shown, amnesty just leads to more illegal immigration.
You should also note that at least twice as many people legalized as we were told would, so that we ended up with 3 million instead of roughly half that. There was also lots of FRAUD in the program as the government rushed to process applicants to meet quotas. Then, there's also the matter that under a recent court decision, some illegal aliens are STILL able to apply under the 1986 amnesty. The amnesty that keeps on giving.
I do not support amnesty. We already said that during the Bush years. The current politicians don't remember? The current politicians should not bring this issue up again. POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: WE DO NOT WANT AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS. ENFORCE CURRENT IMMIGRATION LAWS. YOU POLITICIANS ARE SENT TO CONGRESS TO WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. YOU ARE NOT SENT TO CONGRESS TO WORK FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THEIR FRIENDS. THEREFORE, DO NOT GRANT AMNESTY TO ILLEAGL ALIENS.
Amnesty was granted in 1986, whether one agreed or not. Rules were put in place. The system was to be evaluated every 3 years and adjusted. The I-9 was to be verifiable (proof you are legal to work). It had a plan to phase in. If we had actually followed through, funded the enforcement, and adjusted the laws as needed, the 2010 problems would not be so bad. Without follow through, this new legislation is equally meaningless on all fronts. I believe if you are not in compliance with the 1986 Jubilee laws, you should be sent home. If you are an employer - fined and/or imprisoned.
The open borders people only ask,ask,ask,and take,take,take, hardly anything hsas been done since 86 in enforcement and the open borders people complain just baffles the mind of any sane American,the agenda of the open borders crowd is clear IMO,they do not wish for any control of immigration or for that matter the border.
The only thing that needs to be done is enforcement on many levels,the open borders crowd made this mess ,not the enforcement people,because if they would of went along with the promises of the past and the border was secure im sure most Americans would be willing for a expanded guest worker program,no way in hell are the majority of Americans willing to go down that path now.
Yes, President Ronald Reagan was the first traitor on immigration. He babbled stupidly about a nation without borders not being a nation, then he gave million of border criminals amnesty. Many of those former border criminals are now working energetically, for open borders groups, La Raza, Mecha, Maldef, lulac.........folks, it's "overtime" now to wake up and never again vote for an open borders politician. McCain should already be certain that he loses because of his treason, yet so many clueless Americans cannot see him for what he is.
Dave is right on with this one!
Another amnesty will destroy this country. Or eventually cause
a CIVIL WAR!
We aren't going to take any gruff from Mexico and their arrogant
citizens.
Lets make this clear that mexicans are not the only ones here! We as americans are all immigrants in this country no white person belongs here no Mexican no Asian nobody but native americans and there families. We are nobody to take over no country. But if we are alowed to stay we will make the best of this country. My parents were here the time of the amnesty they received it and my father maid the best of that great gift and they both deceided to work hard their whole life both my parents. And I will one day like to join the army to pay back what it has done for all of those illegal Immigrants. The great gift wich is a CHANCE. Daine there is no gruff and or arrogance from mexican citizens and others.
The open borders people only ask,ask,ask,and take,take,take, hardly anything hsas been done since 86 in enforcement and the open borders people complain just baffles the mind of any sane American,the agenda of the open borders crowd is clear IMO,they do not wish for any control of immigration or for that matter the border.
The only thing that needs to be done is enforcement on many levels,the open borders crowd made this mess ,not the enforcement people,because if they would of went along with the promises of the past and the border was secure im sure most Americans would be willing for a expanded guest worker program,no way in hell are the majority of Americans willing to go down that path now.
NO MASS AMNESTY!
It is way past the time to finally put a stop to this invasion by ILLEGAL ALIENS! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Racist lazy punks
soon we shall be the majority in a few decades, then we will be the ones persecuting you :)
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