Final answer:
Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, undocumented immigrants who entered the country before 1982 were able to gain legal immigration status. Option number d is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 addressed various aspects of immigration law, but when it came to undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before 1982, the Act granted them the opportunity to gain legal immigration status. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is D. This provision allowed these immigrants to apply for amnesty, provided they paid a fine, any applicable back taxes, admitted guilt, and proved they met certain requirements, including having knowledge of U.S. history, government, and proficiency in the English language.
Despite its intentions, the law faced criticism from multiple perspectives, including perceptions of discriminatory hiring practices and insufficient regulations to prevent ongoing illegal immigration. The debates surrounding this legislation illustrate the complexities involved in formulating effective immigration policies.