Heritage Explains 037: Amnesty Doesn't Work

In 1986, the U.S. provided amnesty to almost 3 million illegal immigrants with the promise to stop future illegal immigration. Some raised concerns that the bill would send the wrong message. That immigrants might think the U.S. was willing to reward those who came here illegally. Still the amnesty took effect immediately and the promises to stop future illegal immigration came to nothing. Congress would later pass several smaller amnesties in the 1990s setting a precedent that Congress would indeed keep rewarding illegal immigration. Since then, the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has grown to around 12 million. Instead of doubling down on failed amnesty policies Congress should focus on border security and enforcement first.