The word "IRCA" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols as /ərkə/. This word is made up of four different letters, which are pronounced as "i," "r," "c," and "a." The sound of "i" is a short vowel sound pronounced as /ə/, while "r" is pronounced as the voiced alveolar trill /r/. "C," in this case, produces a sound similar to the "k" and "s" sounds and is represented in IPA as /k/. Lastly, "a" is pronounced as the short vowel sound /ə/. Together, these symbols represent the correct pronunciation of the word, "IRCA."
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) is a major piece of legislation enacted by the United States Congress in 1986 to address the issue of unauthorized immigration. As a comprehensive immigration reform measure, IRCA aimed to balance the need for secure borders with the recognition of the economic contributions made by immigrants.
Under IRCA, employers in the United States are required to verify the eligibility of their employees to work legally in the country. This is achieved through the completion of Form I-9, which confirms the identity and employment authorization of each employee. The Act established penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers and created measures to prevent document fraud.
In addition to employer sanctions, IRCA also offered a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to 1982. This provision included a process for eligible individuals to obtain temporary residency, followed by lawful permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
IRCA represented a significant step towards addressing unauthorized immigration and attempting to find a balanced solution to the complex issue. The legislation aimed to deter illegal immigration through employer sanctions, while also providing an opportunity for certain undocumented immigrants to regularize their status. Although the Act had its limitations and critics, it played a crucial role in shaping the current landscape of U.S. immigration policy.