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?

[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.