Take the Reagan Amnesty Pop Quiz!

January 26th, 2004 | Sabertooth

[Sabertooth]

With the recent controversial proposal by President Bush to legalize millions of Illegal Aliens, there have been numerous references to the Illegal Alien Amnesty passed by Congress and signed by President Reagan in 1986.

The 1986 legislation for the legalization of Illegals was part of a major immigration reform bill, which was appropriately titled the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The relevant portion of the legislation that we commonly refer to as the Reagan Amnesty fell under Title II, Section 201. Legalization of Status.

So, I read Section 201, and thought it might be fun to write a pop quiz for Freepers, so that you could test your knowledge of how the Reagan Amnesty worked.

Ready?

Eyes on your own papers.

Reagan Amnesty Pop Quiz

1. The Reagan Amnesty granted a blanket Amnesty to Illegal Aliens.

2. The Reagan Amnesty granted automatic citizenship to Illegal Aliens.

3. The Reagan Amnesty granted citizenship to some Illegal Aliens.

4. The Reagan Amnesty granted automatic permanent residence (green cards) to Illegal Aliens.

5. The Reagan Amnesty granted immediate permanent residence (green cards) to some Illegal Aliens.

6. The Reagan Amnesty was granted to Illegal Aliens, free of charge.

Bonus Question:

The Reagan Amnesty mentions the word “Amnesty.”

Double Secret Bonus Question:

The word “Amnesty” is mentioned in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

OK, put down your pencils.

How do you think you did?

Scroll down for the answers…

Reagan Amnesty Pop Quiz – Answer Sheet

1. The Reagan Amnesty granted a blanket Amnesty to Illegal Aliens.

FALSE

The Reagan Amnesty wasn’t for all Illegal Aliens, there were many requirements that had to be met for Illegals to be eligible. Among them were certain residency requirements, no felony convictions, less than three misdemeanor convictions, medical examinations, etc. They can be found in the following subsection:

     "Sec. 245A. (a) Temporary Resident Status.--The Attorney General shall adjust the status of an alien to that of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence if the alien meets the following requirements: 

2. The Reagan Amnesty granted automatic citizenship to Illegal Aliens.

FALSE

As seen above in Section 245A., the adjustment of status for Illegal Aliens was to admission for “temporary residence.”

3. The Reagan Amnesty granted citizenship to some Illegal Aliens.

FALSE

Again, as seen above in Section 245A., the adjustment of status for Illegal Aliens was to admission for “temporary residence.”

4. The Reagan Amnesty granted automatic permanent residence (green cards) to Illegal Aliens.

FALSE

Once again, as seen above in Section 245A., the adjustment of status for Illegal Aliens was to admission for “temporary residence.”

For permanent residence requirements, one must go to Section 245(b):

"(b) Subsequent Adjustment to Permanent Residence and Nature of Temporary Resident Status.-- 

The adjustment to permanent residence for legalized Illegals wasn’t “automatic,” they had to be legalized as temporary workers first, and subsequently adjusted to permanent status. For adjustment to permanent status, the legalized-Illegal had to apply between eighteen and thirty months after being granted his temporary residence, under Section 245(b).1.A.

5. The Reagan Amnesty granted immediate permanent residence (green cards) to some Illegal Aliens.

FALSE

And yet again, as seen above in Section 245A., the adjustment of status for Illegal Aliens was to admission for “temporary residence.”

Same 245(b)(1)(A) applies: requirements for all Illegals adjusted to temporary residence, as seen above at Question #4, before being granted permanent residence.

6. The Reagan Amnesty was granted to Illegal Aliens, free of charge.

FALSE

Illegal Aliens had to pay a fee to be legalized as temporary residents, under Section 245(c)(7)(A) :

"(7) Application fees.-- 

     "(A) Fee schedule.--The Attorney General shall provide for a schedule of fees to be charged for the filing of applications for adjustment under subsection (a) or (b)(1). 

Bonus Question:

The Reagan Amnesty mentions the word “Amnesty.”

FALSE

Do the word search on Title II, Section 201 yourself.

Or scroll below, where I’ve posted the entire Section of the legislation that is devoted to Legalization of Status for Illegal Aliens.

Double Secret Bonus Question:

The word “Amnesty” is mentioned in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

FALSE

Go ahead; search every Title and Section of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

The Reagan Amnesty didn’t call itself an Amnesty, anywhere in the legislation.

So, how’d you do?

[Sabertooth]

Immediately below, I've posted the language of Section 201 - Legalzation of Status of Illegal Aliens.

SEC. 201. LEGALIZATION OF STATUS. 

 

     (a) Providing for Legalization Program.--(1) Chapter 5 of title II is amended by inserting after section 245 (8 U.S.C. 1255) the following new section:

 

      "Adjustment of Status of Certain Entrants Before January 1, 1982, to That of Person Admitted for Lawful Residence  

 

     "Sec. 245A. (a) Temporary Resident Status.--The Attorney General shall adjust the status of an alien to that of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence if the alien meets the following requirements: 

 

     "(1) Timely application.-- 

 

     "(A) During application period.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the alien must apply for such adjustment during the 12-month period beginning on a date (not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section) designated by the Attorney General. 

 

     "(B) Application within 30 days of show-cause order.--An alien who, at any time during the first 11 months of the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A), is the subject of an order to show cause issued under section 242, must make application under this section not later than the end of the 30-day period beginning either on the first day of such 18-month period or on the date of the issuance of such order, whichever day is later. 

 

"(C) Information included in application.--Each application under this subsection shall contain such information as the Attorney General may require, including information on living relatives of the applicant with respect to whom a petition for preference or other status may be filed by the applicant at any later date under section 204(a). 

 

"(2) Continuous unlawful residence since 1982.-- 

 

     "(A) In general.--The alien must establish that he entered the United States before January 1, 1982, and that he has resided continuously in the United States in an unlawful status since such date and through the date the application is filed under this subsection. 

 

 

     "(B) Nonimmigrants.--In the case of an alien who entered the United States as a nonimmigrant before January 1, 1982, the alien must establish that the alien's period of authorized stay as a nonimmigrant expired before such date through the passage of time or the alien's unlawful status was known to the Government as of such date. 

 

"(C) Exchange visitors.--If the alien was at any time a nonimmigrant exchange alien (as defined in section 101(a)(15)(J)), the alien must establish that the alien was not subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement of section 212(e) or has fulfilled that requirement or received a waiver thereof. 

 

"(3) Continuous physical presence since enactment.-- 

 

     "(A) In general.--The alien must establish that the alien has been continuously physically present in the United States since the date of the enactment of this section. 

 

     "(B) Treatment of brief, casual, and innocent absences.--An alien shall not be considered to have failed to maintain continuous physical presence in the United States for purposes of subparagraph (A) by virtue of brief, casual, and innocent absences from the United States. 

 

     "(C) Admissions.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing an alien to apply for admission to, or to be admitted to, the United States in order to apply for adjustment of status under this subsection. 

 

"(4) Admissible as immigrant.--The alien must establish that he-- 

 

     "(A) is admissible to the United States as an immigrant, except as otherwise provided under subsection (d)(2), 

 

     "(B) has not been convicted of any felony or of three or more misdemeanors committed in the United States, 

 

     "(C) has not assisted in the persecution of any person or persons on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and 

 

     "(D) is registered or registering under the Military Selective Service Act, if the alien is required to be so registered under that Act. 

 

For purposes of this subsection, an alien in the status of a Cuban and Haitian entrant described in paragraph (1) or (2)(A) of section 501(e) of Public Law 96-422 shall be considered to have entered the United States and to be in an unlawful status in the United States. 

 

"(b) Subsequent Adjustment to Permanent Residence and Nature of Temporary Resident Status.-- 

 

     "(1) Adjustment to permanent residence.--The Attorney General shall adjust the status of any alien provided lawful temporary resident status under subsection (a) to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the alien meets the following requirements: 

 

     "(A) Timely application after one year's residence.--The alien must apply for such adjustment during the one-year period beginning with the nineteenth month that begins after the date the alien was granted such temporary resident status. 

 

"(B) Continuous residence.-- 

 

     "(i) In general.--The alien must establish that he has continuously resided in the United States since the date the alien was granted such temporary resident status. 

 

     "(ii) Treatment of certain absences.--An alien shall not be considered to have lost the continuous residence referred to in clause (i) by reason of an absence from the United States permitted under paragraph (3)(A). 

 

     "(C) Admissible as immigrant.--The alien must establish that he-- 

 

     "(i) is admissible to the United States as an immigrant, except as otherwise provided under subsection (d)(2), and 

 

     "(ii) has not been convicted of any felony or three or more misdemeanors committed in the United States. 

 

"(D) Basic citizenship skills.-- 

 

     "(i) In general.--The alien must demonstrate that he either-- 

 

     "(I) meets the requirements of section 312 (relating to minimal understanding of ordinary English and a knowledge and understanding of the history and government of the United States), or 

 

     "(II) is satisfactorily pursuing a course of study (recognized by the Attorney General) to achieve such an understanding of English and such a knowledge and understanding of the history and government of the United States. 

 

     "(ii) Exception for elderly individuals.--The Attorney General may, in his discretion, waive all or part of the requirements of clause (i) in the case of an alien who is 65 years of age or older. 

 

     "(iii) Relation to naturalization examination.--In accordance with regulations of the Attorney General, an alien who has demonstrated under clause (i)(I) that the alien meets the requirements of section 312 may be considered to have satisfied the requirements of that section for purposes of becoming naturalized as a citizen of the United States under title III. 

 

     "(2) Termination of temporary residence.--The Attorney General shall provide for termination of temporary resident status granted an alien under subsection (a)-- 

 

     "(A) if it appears to the Attorney General that the alien was in fact not eligible for such status; 

 

     "(B) if the alien commits an act that (i) makes the alien inadmissible to the United States as an immigrant, except as otherwise provided under subsection (d)(2), or (ii) is convicted of any felony or three or more misdemeanors committed in the United States; or 

 

     "(C) at the end of the thirty-first month beginning after the date the alien is granted such status, unless the alien has filed an application for adjustment of such status pursuant to paragraph (1) and such application has not been denied. 

 

"(3) Authorized travel and employment during temporary residence.--During the period an alien is in lawful temporary resident status granted under subsection (a)-- 

 

     "(A) Authorization of travel abroad.--The Attorney General shall, in accordance with regulations, permit the alien to return to the United States after such brief and casual trips abroad as reflect an intention on the part of the alien to adjust to lawful permanent resident status under paragraph (1) and after brief temporary trips abroad occasioned by a family obligation involving an occurrence such as the illness or death of a close relative or other family need. 

 

     "(B) Authorization of employment.--The Attorney General shall grant the alien authorization to engage in employment in the United States and provide to that alien an 'employment authorized' endorsement or other appropriate work permit. 

 

     "(c) Applications for Adjustment of Status.-- 

 

     "(1) To whom may be made.--The Attorney General shall provide that applications for adjustment of status under subsection (a) may be filed-- 

 

"(A) with the Attorney General, or 

 

"(B) with a qualified designated entity, but only if the applicant consents to the forwarding of the application to the Attorney General. 

 

As used in this section, the term "qualified designated entity" means an organization or person designated under paragraph (2). 

 

     "(2) Designation of qualified entities to receive applications.--For purposes of assisting in the program of legalization provided under this section, the Attorney General-- 

 

     "(A) shall designate qualified voluntary organizations and other qualified State, local, and community organizations, and 

 

     "(B) may designate such other persons as the Attorney General determines are qualified and have substantial experience, demonstrated competence, and traditional long-term involvement in the preparation and submittal of applications for adjustment of status under section 209 or 245, Public Law 89-732, or Public Law 95-145. 

 

     "(3) Treatment of applications by designated entities.--Each qualified designated entity must agree to forward to the Attorney General applications filed with it in accordance with paragraph (1)(B) but not to forward to the Attorney General applications filed with it unless the applicant has consented to such forwarding. No such entity may make a determination required by this section to be made by the Attorney General. 

 

     "(4) Limitation on access to information.--Files and records of qualified designated entities relating to an alien's seeking assistance or information with respect to filing an application under this section are confidential and the Attorney General and the Service shall not have access to such files or records relating to an alien without the consent of the alien. 

 

     "(5) Confidentiality of information.--Neither the Attorney General, nor any other official or employee of the Department of Justice, or bureau or agency thereof, may-- 

 

     "(A) use the information furnished pursuant to an application filed under this section for any purpose other than to make a determination on the application or for enforcement of paragraph (6), 

 

     "(B) make any publication whereby the information furnished by any particular individual can be identified, or 

 

     "(C) permit anyone other than the sworn officers and employees of the Department or bureau or agency or, with respect to applications filed with a designated entity, that designated entity, to examine individual applications. 

 

Anyone who uses, publishes, or permits information to be examined in violation of this paragraph shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. 

 

     "(6) Penalties for false statements in applications.--Whoever files an application for adjustment of status under this section and knowingly and willfully falsifies, misrepresents, conceals, or covers up a material fact or makes any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. 

 

"(7) Application fees.-- 

 

     "(A) Fee schedule.--The Attorney General shall provide for a schedule of fees to be charged for the filing of applications for adjustment under subsection (a) or (b)(1). 

 

     "(B) Use of fees.-- The Attorney General shall deposit payments received under this paragraph in a separate account and amounts in such account shall be available, without fiscal year limitation, to cover administrative and other expenses incurred in connection with the review of applications filed under this section. 

 

 

"(d) Waiver of Numerical Limitations and Certain Grounds for Exclusion.-- 

 

     "(1) Numerical limitations do not apply.--The numerical limitations of sections 201 and 202 shall not apply to the adjustment of aliens to lawful permanent resident status under this section. 

 

     "(2) Waiver of grounds for exclusion.--In the      determination of an alien's admissibility under subsections (a)(4)(A), (b)(1)(C)(i), and (b)(2)(B)-- 

 

     "(A) Grounds of exclusion not applicable.--The provisions of paragraphs (14), (20), (21), (25), and (32) of section 212(a) shall not apply. 

 

"(B) Waiver of other grounds.-- 

 

     "(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the Attorney General may waive any other provision of section 212(a) in the case of individual aliens for humanitarian purposes, to assure family unity, or when it is otherwise in the public interest. 

 

     "(ii) Grounds that may not be waived.--The following provisions of section 212(a) may not be waived by the Attorney General under clause (i): 

 

     "(I) Paragraphs (9) and (10) (relating to criminals). 

 

     "(II) Paragraph (15) (relating to aliens likely to become public charges) insofar as it relates to an application for adjustment to permanent residence by an alien other than an alien who is eligible for benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act or section 212 of Public Law 93-66 for the month in which such alien is granted lawful temporary residence status under subsection (a). 

 

     "(III) Paragraph (23) (relating to drug offenses), except for so much of such paragraph as relates to a single offense of simple possession of 30 grams or less of marihuana. 

 

     "(IV) Paragraphs (27), (28), and (29) (relating to national security and members of certain organizations). 

 

     "(V) Paragraph (33) (relating to those who assisted in the Nazi persecutions). 

 

     "(iii) Special rule for determination of public charge.--An alien is not ineligible for adjustment of status under this section due to being inadmissible under section 212(a)(15) if the alien demonstrates a history of employment in the United States evidencing self-support without receipt of public cash assistance. 

 

     "(C) Medical examination.--The alien shall be required, at the alien's expense, to undergo such a medical examination (including a determination of immunization status) as is appropriate and conforms to generally accepted professional standards of medical practice. 

 

"(e) Temporary Stay of Deportation and Work Authorization for Certain Applicants.-- 

 

     "(1) Before application period.--The Attorney General shall provide that in the case of an alien who is apprehended before the beginning of the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and who can establish a prima facie case of eligibility to have his status adjusted under subsection (a) (but for the fact that he may not apply for such adjustment until the beginning of such period), until the alien has had the opportunity during the first 30 days of the application period to complete the filing of an application for adjustment, the alien-- 

 

"(A) may not be deported, and 

 

"(B) shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the United States and be provided an 'employment authorized' endorsement or other appropriate work permit. 

 

     "(2) During application period.--The Attorney General shall provide that in the case of an alien who presents a prima facie application for adjustment of status under subsection (a) during the application period, and until a final determination on the application has been made in accordance with this section, the alien-- 

 

"(A) may not be deported, and 

 

     "(B) shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the United States and be provided an 'employment authorized' endorsement or other appropriate work permit. 

 

"(f) Administrative and Judicial Review.-- 

 

     "(1) Administrative and judicial review.--There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a determination respecting an application for adjustment of status under this section except in accordance with this subsection. 

 

     "(2) No review for late filings.--No denial of adjustment of status under this section based on a late filing of an application for such adjustment may be reviewed by a court of the United States or of any State or reviewed in any administrative proceeding of the United States Government. 

 

"(3) Administrative review.-- 

 

     "(A) Single level of administrative appellate review.--The Attorney General shall establish an appellate authority to provide for a single level of administrative appellate review of a determination described in paragraph (1). 

 

     "(B) Standard for review.--Such administrative appellate review shall be based solely upon the administrative record established at the time of the determination on the application and upon such additional or newly discovered evidence as may not have been available at the time of the determination. 

 

"(4) Judicial review.-- 

 

     "(A) Limitation to review of deportation.--There shall be judicial review of such a denial only in the judicial review of an order of deportation under section 106. 

 

     "(B) Standard for judicial review.--Such judicial review shall be based solely upon the administrative record established at the time of the review by the appellate authority and the findings of fact and determinations contained in such record shall be conclusive unless the applicant can establish abuse of discretion or that the findings are directly contrary to clear and convincing facts contained in the record considered as a whole. 

 

"(g) Implementation of Section.-- 

 

     "(1) Regulations.--The Attorney General, after consultation with the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, shall prescribe-- 

 

     "(A) regulations establishing a definition of the term 'resided continuously', as used in this section, and the evidence needed to establish that an alien has resided continuously in the United States for purposes of this section, and 

 

 

     "(B) such other regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section. 

 

     "(2) Considerations.--In prescribing regulations described in paragraph (1)(A)-- 

 

     "(A) Periods of continuous residence.--The Attorney General shall specify individual periods, and aggregate periods, of absence from the United States which will be considered to break a period of continuous residence in the United States and shall take into account absences due merely to brief and casual trips abroad. 

 

     "(B) Absences caused by deportation or advanced parole.--The Attorney General shall provide that-- 

 

     "(i) an alien shall not be considered to have resided continuously in the United States, if, during any period for which continuous residence is required, the alien was outside the United States as a result of a departure under an order of deportation, and 

 

     "(ii) any period of time during which an alien is outside the United States pursuant to the advance parole procedures of the Service shall not be considered as part of the period of time during which an alien is outside the United States for purposes of this section. 

 

     "(C) Waivers of certain absences.--The Attorney General may provide for a waiver, in the discretion of the Attorney General, of the periods specified under subparagraph (A) in the case of an absence from the United States due merely to a brief temporary trip abroad required by emergency or extenuating circumstances outside the control of the alien. 

 

     "(D) Use of certain documentation.--The Attorney General shall require that-- 

 

     "(i) continuous residence and physical presence in the United States must be established through documents, together with independent corroboration of the information contained in such documents, and 

 

     "(ii) the documents provided under clause (i) be employment-related if employment-related documents with respect to the alien are available to the applicant. 

 

     "(3) Interim final regulations.--Regulations prescribed under this section may be prescribed to take effect on an interim final basis if the Attorney General determines that this is necessary in order to implement this section in a timely manner. 

 

     "(h) Temporary Disqualification of Newly Legalized Aliens From Receiving Certain Public Welfare Assistance.-- 

 

     "(1) In general.--During the five-year period beginning on the date an alien was granted lawful temporary resident status under subsection (a), and notwithstanding any other provision of law-- 

 

     "(A) except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the alien is not eligible for-- 

 

     "(i) any program of financial assistance furnished under Federal law (whether through grant, loan, guarantee, or otherwise) on the basis of financial need, as such programs are identified by the Attorney General in consultation with other appropriate heads of the various departments and agencies of Government (but in any event including the program of aid to families with dependent children under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act), 

 

     "(ii) medical assistance under a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act, and 

 

     "(iii) assistance under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and 

 

     "(B) a State or political subdivision therein may, to the extent consistent with subparagraph (A) and paragraphs (2) and (3), provide that the alien is not eligible for the programs of financial assistance or for medical assistance described in subparagraph (A)(ii) furnished under the law of that State or political subdivision. 

 

Unless otherwise specifically provided by this section or other law, an alien in temporary lawful residence status granted under subsection (a) shall not be considered (for purposes of any law of a State or political subdivision providing for a program of financial assistance) to be permanently residing in the United States under color of law. 

 

"(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply-- 

 

     "(A) to a Cuban and Haitian entrant (as defined in paragraph (1) or (2)(A) of section 501(e) of Public Law 96-422, as in effect on April 1, 1983), or 

 

     "(B) in the case of assistance (other than aid to families with dependent children) which is furnished to an alien who is an aged, blind, or disabled individual (as defined in section 1614(a)(1) of the Social Security Act). 

 

"(3) Restricted medicaid benefits.-- 

 

     "(A) Clarification of entitlement.--Subject to the restrictions under subparagraph (B), for the purpose of providing aliens with eligibility to receive medical assistance-- 

 

     "(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply, 

 

     "(ii) aliens who would be eligible for medical assistance but for the provisions of paragraph (1) shall be deemed, for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act, to be so eligible, and 

 

     "(iii) aliens lawfully admitted for temporary residence under this section, such status not having changed, shall be considered to be permanently residing in the United States under color of law. 

 

"(B) Restriction of benefits.-- 

 

     "(i) Limitation to emergency services and services for pregnant women.--Notwithstanding any provision of title XIX of the Social Security Act (including subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 1902(a)(10) of such Act), aliens who, but for subparagraph (A), would be ineligible for medical assistance under paragraph (1), are only eligible for such assistance with respect to-- 

 

     "(I) emergency services (as defined for purposes of section 1916(a)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act), and 

 

     "(II) services described in section 1916(a)(2)(B) of such Act (relating to service for pregnant women). 

 

     "(ii) No restriction for exempt aliens and children.--The restrictions of clause (i) shall not apply to aliens who are described in paragraph (2) or who are under 18 years of age. 

 

     "(C) Definition of medical assistance.--In this paragraph, the term 'medical assistance' refers to medical assistance under a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act. 

 

 

     "(4) Treatment of certain programs.--Assistance furnished under any of the following provisions of law shall not be construed to be financial assistance described in paragraph (1)(A)(i): 

 

"(A) The National School Lunch Act. 

 

"(B) The Child Nutrition Act of 1966. 

 

"(C) The Vocational Education Act of 1963. 

 

"(D) Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. 

 

"(E) The Headstart-Follow Through Act. 

 

"(F) The Job Training Partnership Act. 

 

"(G) Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. 

 

"(H) The Public Health Service Act. 

 

"(I) Titles V, XVI, and XX, and parts B, D, and E of title IV, of the Social Security Act (and titles I, X, XIV, and XVI of such Act as in effect without regard to the amendment made by section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972). 

 

     "(5) Adjustment not affecting fascell-stone benefits. --For the purpose of section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-122), assistance shall be continued under such section with respect to an alien without regard to the alien's adjustment of status under this section. 

 

     "(i) Dissemination of Information on Legalization Program.--Beginning not later than the date designated by the Attorney General under subsection (a)(1)(A), the Attorney General, in cooperation with qualified designated entities, shall broadly disseminate information respecting the benefits which aliens may receive under this section and the requirements to obtain such benefits.". 

 

     (2) The table of contents for chapter 5 of title II is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 245 the following new item: 

 

"Sec. 245A. Adjustment of status of certain entrants before January 1, 1982, to that of person admitted for lawful residence.". 

 

     (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 402 of the Social Security Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 

 

     "(f)(1) For temporary disqualification of certain newly legalized aliens from receiving aid to families with dependent children, see subsection (h) of section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

 

     "(2) In any case where an alien disqualified from receiving aid under such subsection (h) is the parent of a child who is not so disqualified and who (without any adjustment of status under such section 245A) is considered a dependent child under subsection (a)(33), or is the brother or sister of such a child, subsection (a)(38) shall not apply, and the needs of such alien shall not be taken into account in making the determination under subsection (a)(7) with respect to such child, but the income of such alien (if he or she is the parent of such child) shall be included in making such determination to the same extent that income of a stepparent is included under subsection (a)(31).". 

 

     (2)(A) Section 472(a) of such Act is amended by adding at the end thereof(after and below paragraph (4)) the following new sentence: 

 

"In any case where the child is an alien disqualified under section 245A(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act from receiving aid under the State plan approved under section 402 in or for the month in which such agreement was entered into or court proceedings leading to the removal of the child from the home were instituted, such child shall be considered to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (4) (and the corresponding requirements of section 

473(a)(1)(B)), with respect to that month, if he or she would have satisfied such requirements but for such disqualification.". 

 

     (B) Section 473(a)(1) of such Act is amended by adding at the end thereof (after and below subparagraph (C)) the following new sentence: 

 

"The last sentence of section 472(a) shall apply, for purposes of subparagraph(B), in any case where the child is an alien described in that sentence.". 

 

     (c) Miscellaneous Provisions.-- 

 

     (1) Procedures for property acquisition or leasing.--Notwithstanding the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 etseq.), the Attorney General is authorized to expend from the appropriation provided for the administration and enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, such amounts as may be necessary for the leasing or acquisition of property in the fulfillment of this section. This authority shall end two years after the effective date of the legalization program. 

 

 

(2) Use of retired federal employees.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the retired or retainer pay of a member or former member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the annuity of a retired employee of Federal Government who retired on or before January 1, 1986, shall not be reduced while such individual is temporarily employed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for a period of not to exceed 18 months to perform duties in connecton with the adjustment of status of aliens udner this section. The Service shall not temporarily employ more than 300 individuals under this paragraph. Notwithstanding any othe provision of law , the annuity of a retired employee the Federal Government shall not be increased or redetermined under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5. United States Code, as a result of a period of temporary employment under this paragraph. 

 

 

 

 

[Sabertooth]

FYI

[Bikers4Bush]

So what we are seeing is the resurrection of an old plan wrapped up in the guise of a "guest worker program"?

[Sabertooth]

I missed #4 and #5, and didn't know the answers on the bonus questions, but guessed "false."

I was surprised, actually, because I had been under the impression that the Reagan Amnesty granted green cards and permanent residence directly to Illegals.

I was unaware that like the proposal of President Bush, the Reagan Amnesty had an intermediate "temporary" stage before legalized Illegals would be eligible for permanent status.

The duration of the "temporary" status of the Reagan Amnesty was 18 months, while for the Bush Amnesty, it will be at least three years, possibly more, before President Bush's legalized Illegals would be able to apply for green cards.

[Columbine]

Thank you for finding and posting this information, Sabertooth.

I'm bookmarking this thread and the links for future reference.

[Sabertooth]

So what we are seeing is the resurrection of an old plan wrapped up in the guise of a "guest worker program"?

Effect on Illegal Aliens	Reagan Amnesty	Bush Amnesty
Legalizes millions, but not all, Illegal Aliens.	Yes	Yes
Charges a fee to Illegal Aliens for legalization.	Yes	Yes
Initially grants temporary, not permanent status to Illegal Aliens.	Yes	Yes
Provides path for subsequent permanent status for legalized Illegals.	Yes	Yes
Provides path to eventual U.S. citizenship for legalized Illegals.	Yes	Yes

[k2blader]

BUMP!

Great reference--thank you.

[Baynative]

ping

[sully777]

Ping, bump, and grind! (sorry couldn't help it)

Extra triple secret bonus question with extra sprinkles (side questions) on top:

Did the Reagan "amnesty" program add votes to GOP decades to come?
Did the Reagan "amnesty" stem the tide of illegal immigration?
Did the Reagan "amnesty" make liberals jump to GOP?
Did the Reagan "amnesty" secure our borders, language, and culture?
Was Reagan's "amnesty" the policy Dubya called a failure?
Was the Reagan "amnesty" a success?

No need to scroll down for answers.

Sabertooth, I look forward to your posts.

[DumpsterDiver]

Sabertooth, what is the point you're trying to make with this? I'm asking because if there's a message I'm supposed to be getting out of it, it has completely eluded me.

[Sabertooth]

Sabertooth, what is the point you're trying to make with this? I'm asking because if there's a message I'm supposed to be getting out of it, it has completely eluded me.

See #6.

A lot of folks have posted in this forum that the Bush proposal to legalize millions of Illegal Aliens isn't an Amnesty because the President said it wasn't, and because it's different in some significant way than the Reagan Amnesty.

As it turns out, the Reagan Amnesty wasn't self-described as an Amnesty either, nor was it different in any significant way from what President Bush is proposing.

[DumpsterDiver]

D'oh!

Sorta of... a rose by any other name, eh?

[AuntB]

Thanks for all your hard work on this, Sabertooth. Here is a reply I gave someone the other day who claims that if Reagan did it, then it must be right.

Our wonderful President Reagan wasn't right every time, none of us are and has not had to see for the past, what 10 years, what has happened to his California, and many other states. I would guess you don't live in a border state or a state like Oregon, where I recently "migrated" from. I became too ill to even live in my own home and had to sell it to live on. You might say I was "lucky". No, I worked and paid taxes for 30 years on that home to own it.

I watched my neighborhood, in a matter of 6 months turn into a little Tijuana...have you ever been to Tijuana? First the across the street neighbor died and her relatives sold a beautiful 2 acre lot with a small mobile to a man who imports "guest workers". There were 12 of them, and their goats, fighting chickens, "music" all night, blocking the street. They lived in the carport, the sheds, they built new sheds...LOTS of them. Then he bought another one down the street. Don't get me wrong here, they were decent people in many ways. The few who spoke English. Mostly teenage kids. The adults wouldn't speak English. I gave them a bunch of stuff and hired some of them when I moved. They didn't like the country. They liked the cities. The country was boring. Nothin' to do.

I keep asking that question and I asked one of them? , "If you wanted to leave your home so badly, why are you turning this into the same thing?" He shrugged his shoulders and said, " I don't want to be here".

I believe most "immigrants" today, don't want to be here. A number of things compel them to come.

But I can tell you this, the immigrants of today are not the immigrants of before. They came and made this country better. Most of them knew why they were here. And they left us all wealthier and better for it. Then we became politically correct. I'm glad Ronald Reagan hasn't had to see it.

I sold my property for $50,000.00 less than I would have 6 months before. A $300,000.00 new home got $195,000.00. Please don't tell me about my "zoning police". I was called a bigot. I hope I'm a good "immigrant" to my new home state. It's rather strange to be somewhere new after 56 years. I really don't want to be here. I'll try to leave it like it is or make it better and not convince the "current indigenous tribe" that they should change all their rules to suit me or be forced to put up with ill mannered, rude behaviour. And I'll stand by my new neigbors when they need me. Because that's what neighbors are supposed to do. That goes for Mexico, too. Mexicans want to be in Mexico. We should do everything we can to force that corrupt government to be a good neighbor and start taking care of it's own.

Remember NAFTA? Remember the BIG promise of NAFTA? It was going to put a stop to all this illegal immigration, because the people of Mexico would have "prosperity" and want to stay in their own homeland.

I don't pretend to be as smart as some of our politicians or know all the answers to the problem with the invasion of migrants from Mexico. But everything I've heard, including Bush's is no better than what NAFTA accomplished. and from where my vantage point is, it can be called no less than invasion. You will not get a business job unless you speak Spanish. I started hearing that 10 years ago. It's not just the service labor sector that's losing jobs, it's the secretaries, any customer service. I'll take the service job. What are the odds of my pathetic body being hired over a strong, young "guest worker". That proposal might work, if we were talking say, 5% of the population. You have to realize in places, even like So. Oregon, we're talking 10 to 20% of the population and growing every day. It's the worst unemployment in the nation. We have an incredible Mexican Mafia situation. And great welfare. Assimilation? Not happenin'.

[4Freedom]

Nobody received a tax rebate. The money some of us received was our share of a $1 TRILLION dollar loan that Bush made and added to the already burgeoning $6 TRILLION dollar federal debt. Now, we all owe $7 TRILLION.

What little money we received will all have to be paid back with interest.

This is like running up $100 thousand dollars in credit card debt and pretending it was a pay increase.

[Baynative]

So, where is that debt held. Who holds the paper and what will they do if the payment is late? Maybe repossess a few tanks or turn off the lights in congress?

If it was really a concern don't you think someone in congress would say, "lets' stop studying banana slugs and calling cow pies art for a year or two?

Where was all the surplus Clinton crowed about? I never saw the deposit slips....

[expatpat]

If I understand what's in this thread, the concludion is that Enforcement is the key -- it was lacking after Reagan's effort, and it's hard to see it will be any better this time. The border is too long to stop them coming in -- the only solution is to arrest and deport those who are aprehended without papers. But first we have to give the limited number allowed tostay some papers......

[Marine Inspector]

So what we are seeing is the resurrection of an old plan wrapped up in the guise of a "guest worker program"?

Ding Ding Ding, We have a winner.

Marine Inspector

[freedom44]

ping

[Spiff]

So, what you're saying is that the Reagan Amnesty which is a significant cause of the massive illegal immigration problems we're having now, is somewhat similar to what is now being proposed. You would think that we would learn from our mistakes.

[janetgreen]

Good post, AuntB. Welcome to Mexifornia, now you've seen it in person, and in many areas it "ain't" a pretty sight anymore.

You'll be seeing more of it, I hear they're lining up at the border in hope of another amnesty.

[AuntB]

Thank you, janetgreen, glad to be here...except for this snow that is falling AGAIN! That was Oregon I was talking about selling my home and the pundits say illegal "immigration" doesn't affect us...I can't even imagine what it is in So. California...I'm right across the border, just moved from one side of the mountain to the other side. No one here calls this California, it's the State of Jefferson.

[Sabertooth]

The border is too long to stop them coming in -- the only solution is to arrest and deport those who are aprehended without papers. But first we have to give the limited number allowed tostay some papers......

I don't see it that way.

The solution, in large part, is self-deportation of Illegal Aliens.

They Will Deport Themselves

Eighteen Illegal Alien solutions that are better than any Amnesty

25% of Pakistani Illegal Aliens Deported Themselves since 2001 -
Facts against the Bush Amnesty

The false dilemma behind the Bush Amnesty

[Sabertooth]

I can't even imagine what it is in So. California...

There are more Illegals in Los Angeles County than there are people in almost every state capitol, including Sacramento.

If the the L.A. County Illegals started their own city, it would be one of the ten largest in America.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Kevin Curry]

As it turns out, the Reagan Amnesty wasn't self-described as an Amnesty either, nor was it different in any significant way from what President Bush is proposing.

The Bush proposal, as was the Reagan proposal, is amnesty on the installment plan. The politicos believe that most people are too stupid to discern this truth if the proposal is camouflaged with words such as "temporary" or "guest worker."

[Cacique]

bttfl

[Sabertooth]

The Bush proposal, as was the Reagan proposal, is amnesty on the installment plan. The politicos believe that most people are too stupid to discern this truth if the proposal is camouflaged with words such as "temporary" or "guest worker."

Well, to be fair, with the Reagan plan we weren't being kidded into thinking that they'd go home. Eveyone undestood it was Amnesty.

Also, with the Reagan plan, we didn't have the historical failure of a previous Illegal Immigration Amnesty, as we do with the Bush Amnesty.

[expatpat]

I've read your referenced posts, and am not convinced. Asset forfeiture is an extreme step, and a slippery slope, indeed, likely to be abused. I'm against most of the current laws/actions in that area. Moreover, few of these illegals have much in the way of assets -- their earnings are modest and they send it back to Mexico quite regularly.

Your approach leads to a modest proposal: Why not hang captured illegals? -- that would self-deport them, even more quickly.</sarcasm

[Sabertooth]

I've read your referenced posts, and am not convinced. Asset forfeiture is an extreme step, and a slippery slope, indeed, likely to be abused. I'm against most of the current laws/actions in that area. Moreover, few of these illegals have much in the way of assets -- their earnings are modest and they send it back to Mexico quite regularly

$12 billion a year in cash goes across the borders. There are Illegal Alien bank accounts that were opened with matricula consular ID cards. The wire transfers would simply have to be intercepted.

There are Illegals who own houses and cars. All of that should be forfeit.

Like I said, there are plenty of other proposals, if that one doesn't catch your fancy.

Your approach leads to a modest proposal: Why not hang captured illegals? -- that would self-deport them, even more quickly.</sarcasm

Ah, I was under the misimpression you were sincerely looking for alternatives to doing nothing or the Bush Amnesty.

Carry on.

[B4Ranch]

100% correct Is that an A+ ?

[sully777]

I reread my post to you Sabertooth. I want to clarify that I like your assessments in general and look forward to them everytime you post. You may have mistaken my comments as a challenge to answer my rhetorical set of Qs. You're welcome to answer them but that wasn't my original intent.

[Tempest]

I got 100% on your pop quiz.

I wish that you had provided one question that was true and more accurate of how Reagan immigration plan worked though.

I also have to ask. Are you just opposed to any form of increasing immigration into this country or do you think that there is an ideal way where it would be more agreeable to you.

Anyways I wonder how many of us know any details as to what President Bush's guest worker program will turn out to look like. As far as I'm aware nothing has really been fleshed out and my prediction is that from the negative response to his proposal that it will be a severly watered down proposal or DOA. But that's just a guess.

[Sabertooth]

I wish that you had provided one question that was true and more accurate of how Reagan immigration plan worked though.

What's that?

I also have to ask. Are you just opposed to any form of increasing immigration into this country or do you think that there is an ideal way where it would be more agreeable to you.

I'm for maintaining the current levels of immigration (with certain adjustments to family reunification, described in the "Eighteen Illegal Alien Solutions" link), while we get the Illegal Alien situarion under control.

At that point, I think it will be easier to determine what adjustments, if any, ought to be made to our overall legal immigration levels.

Anyways I wonder how many of us know any details as to what President Bush's guest worker program will turn out to look like. As far as I'm aware nothing has really been fleshed out and my prediction is that from the negative response to his proposal that it will be a severly watered down proposal or DOA. But that's just a guess.

While we don't know all the details, the President did offer a pretty clear outline of the direction in which he wanted to go.

Between that and his history of reluctance to confront the Illegal Alien mess, it's obvious his vision is the wrong one. I don't want a watered down version of anything like what the President is suggesting we do with Illegals. I don't want to allow any incrementalism for an abysmal plan.

[sully777]

President Fox seems to think of his northern hyperpower neighbor as HIS territory, which is to be expected from his Maximillian-esque mentality I've seen many times at US border cities. It may come as a surprise to this usurper that his country was almost annihilated in 1848 when Gen. Scott's troops strolled around downtown Mexico City. By our mercy, we accepted a ceding of Mexico's "empire" north of the Rio Grande and included millions of sq miles of territory that included the future states of CA, UT, NV, NM, AZ, etc. when some voices in Washington demanded it ALL to supress any future attempt by Mexico to be a rival EVER. (Mexico had already lost its southern "empire" with the secession of the Central American states of New Grenada).

Perhaps we should annex Mexico to shorten our borders. Since Fox thinks he speaks as an American, we can easily oblige him. I think Mexican oil and other natural resources could help us a little. We'll raise the living standards of all former Mexicans. I think it's the most compassionate proposal. Downside is loss of cheap vacation sites.

[JustPiper]

BumPing!!!

[Zipporah]

Interesting! Thanks for the ping.. JustPiper.. (btw.. been browsing and found this interesting site.. didn't know anything about this

Rebellion in Chiapas and the Mexican Military

[DoughtyOne]

As I recall, under the Reagan plan we were promised the border would be tightened up. The Reagan "not an amnesty" was supposed to fix the problem. There's no such pretense this time. Bush actually proposes a legalized way of importing millions more Mexican citizens into our nation, even after the "not an amnesty II".

[Tempest]

Interesting. I think a large problem with current immigration policy is the family reunification act. Personally I've been contemplating if it wouldn't be better to allow immigrants in based on their talents, qualifications, education, and diligence. It would seem more beneficial to me if we let immigrants in based on their potential to contribute something based on society, as opposed to lettign someone in just because they happen to be cousins with this guy.

Some immigrants often like bringing their parents over whom are well past working age and the only contribution in which they're capable of is siphoning from the SS system and medicare.

[Once-Ler]

LA LA LA LA LA LA BOMBA!!!!

[DoughtyOne]

I was talking to an eastern European immgrant associate at work. She was mentioning that they were having some sort of family get-together. Just making small talk, I asked, "Do you have many family members here from the old country?" She replied that she has eighty family members that entered from her home region.

The idea that we're just talking about immediate family members is wrong. Mom, Pop, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, grandparents, grandchildren... the list goes on and on.

I'll bet we'd be amazed to know how many millions of people have been immigrated to this nation in the last decade or two. I'd be willing to bet there are close to 50 million people who have been immigrated to this nation in the last 20 years.

That may sound high, but when you consider that there may be as many as fifteen to twenty million illegal immigrants here, the figure of fifty million sudden doesn't seem that far fetched.

[calawah98]

Thanks for the research and information. That took a lot of time! It is appreciated.

[spodefly]

BTTT

[Consort]

Add a column for Tancredo's Plan in Post #6 for comparison purposes.

[lewislynn]

Will someone please send me the list of democrats who returned their tax rebates?

I'll return my $300 if I can have my country back...

[sarcasm]

bttt

[John O]

Your approach leads to a modest proposal: Why not hang captured illegals? -- that would self-deport them, even more quickly.< /sarcasm>

Get rid of the sarcasm tag and you'd be right on. Illegal aliens are no more than non-uniformed enemy combatants in the war against terrorism. They all deserve to be shot and the bodies repatriated (from 10,000 feet - over the enemy's capital)

(Ok maybe dropping the bodies on the capital was extreme but they are still enemy combatants)

[Baynative]

"...I'll return my $300 if I can have my country back..." If you mean the country that believed everyone had the right to protect their home and family, honor their flag, say their prayers and respect their neighbors. If you mean the country that honored it's fighting men for defending liberty and protecting it's borders; the country that assumed English was it's natural language and aspired to lead the world in education... if that country I'm afraid you'll have to forget it. It's gone and, seemingly, it ain't coming back.

And for those of us who were raised to think that every man had the right to pursue his dreams unimpeded by governmental interference and came to realize that MLK's idea of judging people by their character was a pretty good idea; that our country and culture, despite it's flaws, was the best on the world and were proud of the good will and technology we were able to share with the world; if we seem to get just a little bit edgy from time to time that's something you'll have to live with because in the realm of freedom and liberty, in the true spirit of compassion and good will to men this society was the boldest and most ethical experiment ever and there is no where left for those who believed in it to go. And though we can't understand why so many here wish to see it torn asunder and support those who will work for that goal, we will live out our days in the hope that our children may enjoy a glimpse of what was once good to enjoy about the best place on earth and we know in our hearts that if they realize the need to preserve this nation that was once proud and protective of it's culture and borders and see they've become oppressed by a falsely instituted court and congress to the point that forceful defense of those values is the only course of action - we will be ready and willing to help as our last tribute to the founders and defenders of the country that gave the world more hope and freedom than any other. May that day never come...

[Baynative]

"...I'll return my $300 if I can have my country back..."

If you mean the country that believed everyone had the right to protect their home and family, honor their flag, say their prayers and respect their neighbors. If you mean the country that honored it's fighting men for defending liberty and protecting it's borders; the country that assumed English was it's natural language and aspired to lead the world in education... if that country I'm afraid you'll have to forget it. It's gone and, seemingly, it ain't coming back.

And for those of us who were raised to think that every man had the right to pursue his dreams unimpeded by governmental interference and came to realize that MLK's idea of judging people by their character was a pretty good idea; that our country and culture, despite it's flaws, was the best on the world and were proud of the good will and technology we were able to share with the world; if we seem to get just a little bit edgy from time to time that's something you'll have to live with because in the realm of freedom and liberty, in the true spirit of compassion and good will to men this society was the boldest and most ethical experiment ever and there is no where left for those who believed in it to go.

And though we can't understand why so many here wish to see it torn asunder and support those who will work for that goal, we will live out our days in the hope that our children may enjoy a glimpse of what was once good to enjoy about the best place on earth and we know in our hearts that if they realize the need to preserve this nation that was once proud and protective of it's culture and borders and see they've become oppressed by a falsely instituted court and congress to the point that forceful defense of those values is the only course of action - we will be ready and willing to help as our last tribute to the founders and defenders of the country that gave the world more hope and freedom than any other.

May that day never come...

[BillyBoy]

I guessed:

1. The Reagan Amnesty granted a blanket Amnesty to Illegal Aliens.
TRUE

2. The Reagan Amnesty granted automatic citizenship to Illegal Aliens.
FALSE

3. The Reagan Amnesty granted citizenship to some Illegal Aliens.
TRUE

4. The Reagan Amnesty granted automatic permanent residence (green cards) to Illegal Aliens.
TRUE

5. The Reagan Amnesty granted immediate permanent residence (green cards) to some Illegal Aliens.
TRUE

6. The Reagan Amnesty was granted to Illegal Aliens, free of charge.
FALSE

Bonus Question: The Reagan Amnesty mentions the word “Amnesty.”
TRUE

Double Secret Bonus Question: The word “Amnesty” is mentioned in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
FALSE

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Let's see. This worked so well the first time that Bush wants to try it again. Next thing you know we'll have new social program legislation under the title of Grand Society.