Friend — today marks 37 years since the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) was signed into law in 1986.

The IRCA provided a pathway to legal status for approximately 3 million immigrants who had lived in the U.S. before 1983. At the time, it was a monumental victory, allowing people to remain with their loved ones, work, and thrive in the country they call home.

Regrettably, nearly four decades have passed and the IRCA remains the last major update Congress made to our immigration system. Today, the futures of millions of immigrants in this country, including DACA recipients and DACA-eligible people remain unknown. Change is not just needed — it is long overdue.

Immigration has become a highly partisan issue, resulting in legislative gridlock between both major political parties. Policymakers are unable and unwilling to find common ground, repeatedly pushing immigration aside in favor of other political agendas.

At the National Immigration Law Center, one of our goals is to change that. We advocate for laws and policies that will help immigrants thrive in this country, including reforming our immigration system and passing a pathway to citizenship.

For decades, we’ve been urging Congress to pass permanent protections, and we will continue to do so until they finally act. Please, join us in calling on your legislators to pass a pathway to citizenship for the first time in 37 years.

Thank you for your time,

Raha Wala
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy 
National Immigration Law Center