Immigration acts in 1990s
There were several important immigration acts passed in the 1990s in the United States. Here are three notable ones:
1. Immigration Act of 1990: This act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on November 29, 1990, significantly increased legal immigration to the United States. It created the diversity visa lottery program, which allocated visas to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. It also established the employment-based visa system, allowing for increased immigration for skilled workers.
2. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996: This act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 30, 1996, aimed to crack down on illegal immigration and toughen the immigration enforcement system. It expanded the grounds for deporting non-citizens, including legal permanent residents, if they committed certain crimes. Additionally, it introduced stricter enforcement measures, such as mandatory detention for certain categories of undocumented immigrants and limitations on access to public benefits for immigrants.
3. Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) of 1997: This act, signed into law by President Clinton on November 19, 1997, provided relief to certain individuals from Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the former Soviet Bloc countries who faced deportation. It allowed them to adjust their status to legal permanent residents and provided a pathway to citizenship. NACARA aimed to address the humanitarian crisis faced by individuals fleeing conflict and political instability in their home countries.