The 1986 Act, formally known as the Immigration Reform and Control Act, was a significant piece of legislation in the United States. It aimed to address illegal immigration by providing a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants who had been residing in the country since before 1982. The Act also imposed penalties on employers who knowingly hired undocumented workers. Additionally, the 1986 Act strengthened border enforcement and introduced measures to prevent future illegal immigration. It established a system for verifying the employment eligibility of workers, which included the creation of the I-9 form that employers must complete for all new hires.