Trump v. Barbara · ¶521

IRCA balanced harsher enforcement with a plan to legalize the status of millions who were living in the United States illegally. See 8 U. S. C. §§1160, 1255a. Immigrants could obtain legal status in two ways. First, they could file an application showing that they had resided in this country continuously since before 1982, had been physically present here since the date IRCA became law (November 6, 1986), and would be admissible if they were coming legally. §1255a(a). Second, they could certify that they had resided in the United States for at least a year, had worked in agriculture for at least 90 days, and were admissible. §1160(a). Given the less stringent criteria for the latter legalization pathway, it proved much more popular. The number of applications under the agricultural pathway “far exceeded estimates,” at least in part because of fraud. Martin 225–226. Ultimately, almost…

slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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