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?

[Plutarch]

We could use a Sabertooth around here now to help quell the Quisling outbreaks.

[Gelato]

BTTT