Which policy aimed at addressing the status of undocumented immigrants after the 1980s?

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at addressing the status of undocumented immigrants in the United States. One of the key features of this law was its provision for a path to legalization for certain undocumented immigrants who had been living in the U.S. since before 1982. This offered an opportunity for millions of immigrants to obtain legal status, provided they met specific eligibility requirements such as having a clean criminal record and demonstrating continuous residency.

IRCA also represented a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy, as it not only aimed to create legal pathways for undocumented individuals but also sought to strengthen enforcement measures against future unauthorized immigration. It was a comprehensive approach that grappled with the complex realities of immigration during that period, reflecting the ongoing debates about immigration reform in American society.

In contrast, the other policies mentioned do not specifically target the legalization of undocumented immigrants in the same manner as IRCA. The Secure Fence Act primarily focused on border security, the DREAM Act aimed specifically at providing legal status to certain young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, and the Sanctuary Cities movement involves cities adopting policies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, rather than providing a direct means for undocumented immigrants