Final answer:
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 discourages illegal immigration by penalizing employers who hire undocumented workers and grants amnesty to certain illegal residents. It does not legalize immigration for undocumented workers or decrease the immigrant labor force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 was designed to discourage illegal immigration by making it a crime to knowingly hire anyone who was not legally permitted to live and work in the United States. The act granted amnesty to all illegal residents who arrived in the United States before January 1, 1982. It also required employers to verify the identity and eligibility of their employees.
The IRCA does not legalize immigration for undocumented workers nor does it decrease the immigrant labor force. Instead, it enforces penalties for undocumented workers and increases efforts to secure the border. The act aimed to address the issue of illegal immigration while also ensuring the rights and protections of legal immigrants.
Overall, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 seeks to regulate immigration and employment practices to maintain a fair and legal system.