Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
The legacy of Reagan's 1986 immigration bill lives on
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Feb 5, 2013
Listen • 3:59
The legacy of Reagan's 1986 immigration bill lives on
The last time Congress passed a major immigration bill, one of its goals was to stop the flow of undocumented migrants across the border. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect as illegal immigration surged.
US President and Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan addresses the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Dallas on August 23, 1984.
US President and Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan addresses the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Dallas on August 23, 1984.
(
AFP/AFP/Getty Images
)

The last time Congress passed a major immigration bill, one of its goals was to stop the flow of undocumented migrants across the border. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect as illegal immigration surged.

The last time Congress passed a major immigration bill, one of its goals was to stop the flow of undocumented migrants across the border. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect as illegal immigration surged.

Today, the legacy of that 1986 bill is a critical part of the immigration debate. Fronteras Desk reporter Adrian Florido has the story.