Back to the Future: The Impact of Legalization Then and Now

While there are many facets to an intelligent immigration reform package, one thing is clear: legalization for undocumented immigrants helps all of us.  After a significant percentage of the undocumented population legalized under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), research has shown that IRCA provided immediate direct benefits by successfully turning formerly clandestine workers into higher-paid employees. Research has also shown that IRCA provided unexpected indirect benefits to the communities where legalized immigrants resided. Moreover, what we learned from IRCA gives us a bird’s eye view into what we can expect to happen with a new legalization program. In this new IPC Perspectives Piece, Back to the Future: The Impact of Legalization Then and Now, Dr. Sherrie A. Kossoudji examines three areas of concern—work, family, and community—to explain what economic and social benefits would be derived from a legalization program in 2010.

Published On: Thu, Nov 05, 2009 | Download File