The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 sought to control illegal immigration by prohibiting the hiring and continued employment of undocumented aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States.
The IRCA mandates that all US employers are responsible for verifying, through a specific process, the identity and work authorization or eligibility of all individuals. Employers are required to complete Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for all employees. Knowingly employing an alien that is or has become unauthorized to work is a violation of federal immigration law, and can involve very serious penalties and consequences.
