History speaks for itself, and so do the results.

President Ronald Reagan | November 6, 1986

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 is the most comprehensive reform of our immigration laws since 1952. In the past 35 years our nation has been increasingly affected by illegal immigration. This legislation takes a major step toward meeting this challenge to our sovereignty. At the same time, it preserves and enhances the Nation’s heritage of legal immigration. I am pleased to sign the bill into law.

In 1981 this administration asked the Congress to pass a comprehensive legislative package, including employer sanctions, other measures to increase enforcement of the immigration laws, and legalization. The act provides these three essential components. The employer sanctions program is the keystone and major element. It will remove the incentive for illegal immigration by eliminating the job opportunities which draw illegal aliens here. We have consistently supported a legalization program which is both generous to the alien and fair to the countless thousands of people throughout the world who seek legally to come to America. The legalization provisions in this act will go far to improve the lives of a class of individuals who now must hide in the shadows, without access to many of the benefits of a free and open society. Very soon many of these men and women will be able to step into the sunlight and, ultimately, if they choose, they may become Americans.

—

Where have we heard this before?

Don’t let history repeat itself.

1. [...] RELATED: Liberal States Engaging in Anarchy For Illegals Money to Burn: New S.F. health plan attracting members fast Democrats Shortcircuit Border Enforcement, Demand Path to Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants Statement on Signing the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 [...]

   Pingback by California Conservative » Number of immigrants hits record 37.5M: California Leads the Pack — September 12, 2007 @ 5:31 am

1. How many would Jesus deport?

   Comment by Rocky — June 27, 2007 @ 7:16 pm

2. You like to repeat yourself. Not much else to offer? (Must be why you’re supporting this bill)

   Comment by Cameron — June 28, 2007 @ 12:12 am