What is the primary focus of immigration reform laws such as the IRCA?

The primary focus of immigration reform laws such as the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) is to impose penalties for illegally hired workers. Specifically, IRCA was designed to address the issue of unauthorized immigration in the United States by establishing a legal framework that includes penalties for employers who knowingly hire individuals who do not have legal authorization to work. This legislation attempted to balance the needs for labor in certain industries by allowing for the hiring of immigrants while simultaneously cracking down on unlawful employment practices.

The law included measures to verify the legal status of employees, aiming to prevent discrimination while also holding employers accountable for their hiring practices. By emphasizing penalties for hiring undocumented workers, IRCA sought to reduce illegal immigration and promote a system where employment was only available to individuals who had the right to work. This illustrates the law's dual focus on enforcement and regulation within the labor market.