Implementing IRCA: From Law to Reality
“The work after IRCA became, you had a full time job before and now you have a double full time job because the cases came flowing in.”
After Reagan signed IRCA on November 6, 1986, advocates and service organizations scrambled under tight deadlines to help implement the amnesty program. There was only a six month planning period for a massive legalization program, regulations were finalized at the last moment, with ongoing clarifications and adjustments, and the government’s outreach program was started late with limited funding. Eligible individuals were given only 12 months to apply and go through several hoops. Among other requirements, applicants had to pay a fee and provide extensive documentation including fingerprints, employment history and proof of continuous presence in the U.S. since January 1, 1982.
Many potential beneficiaries were unaware of IRCA, misinformed, or concerned about the risks of revealing themselves to the government. Fortunately, deeply committed organizations played a major role in the implementation and execution of the amnesty program. Congress authorized Qualified Designated Entities (QDEs), such as church groups, community organizations and unions, to facilitate the process for potential applicants uncomfortable interacting directly with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Among the QDE’s were the ILGWU, Catholic Charities and various NCLR affiliates, who were essential partners in the complicated effort to reach and enroll as many potential beneficiaries as possible. The QDE’s conducted outreach and education to bring in hard-to-reach communities and assisted with the complicated process. They also provided expert legal representation in complex cases.
After enrollment, IRCA beneficiaries were also required to pass English and civics tests in order to gain legal permanent resident status. The ILGWU Immigration Project and other organizations such as Catholic Charities started to provide classes, which went beyond the bare minimum to promote civic engagement and helped amnesty recipients become empowered, engaged members of the larger community. This was also an intense and formative moment for immigrant rights supporters, who rose to the challenge and put in countless hours to reach and serve as many eligible immigrants as possible.
Muzaffar Chishti describes how the ILGWU was motivated to help its eligible members navigate the amnesty application process, and also provided classes to help beneficiaries come out of the shadows as civically engaged members of society.
May Chen, who joined the ILGWU Immigration Project in 1984, describes the intense scramble to reach and enroll as many eligible beneficiaries as possible in a very short time frame.
May Chen also highlights how citizenship classes promoted civic engagement.
After Anthony Romero, now the head of the ACLU, graduated from college in 1987, his first office job was an internship with the ILGWU’s Immigration Project to help with the implementation process.
Anthony Romero also describes how it was transformative for him and his future career to see how the legalization process gave IRCA beneficiaries confidence and the opportunity to contribute as full members of society.
Beatriz Tavarez began working with Catholic Charities’ immigrant services department in New York City in 1987. Catholic Charities played a major role in outreach efforts that leveraged the numerous parishes with significant immigrant communities, a process that required substantial commitment and legwork.
Jeanne Atkinson, was a recent college graduate who volunteered for an internship in 1987 with the Washington DC Catholic Charities’ effort to reach and enroll undocumented immigrants who were eligible for amnesty under IRCA. Jeanne later went on lead the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), one of the foremost immigrant legal services providers.
Sister Margaret Perrin [ sp?] was the lawyer in charge of the Washington DC Catholic Charities’ immigration work. She describes the logistical challenge of getting an office up and running and training volunteers and staff to help IRCA beneficiaries.
Sister Margaret Perrin (sp?) also describes the support they provided in terms of the application process, often helping with gathering the required documentation, and also the outreach work.
[ADD SAGRARIO AND NANCY LORENZ HIGHLIGHTS? OR KEEP IN ILGWU SECTION? ]