COMMENTARY Border Security

History Shows Amnesty Doesn't Work

Jun 8, 2018 1 min read

Michelle Cordero

@michelleoddis

Former Digital Content Manager, Digital Productions

Michelle Cordero was a digital content manager at The Heritage Foundation.

In 1986, the U.S. provided amnesty to almost 3 million illegal immigrants while promising to stop future illegal immigration. Phototreat/Getty Images

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This week, part two of our special series on immigration. David Inserra, a policy analyst in Heritage's Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign and National Security Policy, helps to explain the history of amnesty and the lessons we can learn moving forward.

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