The Passage, Implementation, and Legacy of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

It has been nearly 33 years since passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), which led to the nation’s last large-scale legalization program. How did IRCA come to pass? What are its lessons for the current immigration debate? What is the legacy for US immigration politics and for the migrant families and communities it benefited?

The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) hosted a timely and provocative conversation with Charles Kamasaki, Senior Cabinet Advisor for UnidosUS, about his groundbreaking book on IRCA, entitled Immigration Reform: The Corpse That Will Not Die.

Panelists included:

MODERATOR:
Donald Kerwin
Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies

AUTHOR AND PRESENTER:
Charles Kamasaki
Senior Cabinet Advisor, UnidosUS

RESPONDENTS:
Most Reverend Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio
Bishop of Brooklyn

Sonia Lin
Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs in New York City