Why did immigration reform fail under Ronald Reagan?

Immigration reform under President Reagan, notably through the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, is considered to have failed due to:

Weak Enforcement: Employer sanctions were not effectively enforced, allowing continued hiring of undocumented workers.

Border Security Lapses: Promises of enhanced border control were not adequately realized.

Future Immigration Misjudged: The act did not account for or provide solutions for future immigration pressures.

Political Compromise: The balance between amnesty and enforcement was poorly maintained due to political compromises.

Economic Needs: The demand for labor in the U.S. economy continued to drive illegal immigration despite the reforms.

Public and Political Reaction: The amnesty part of IRCA was perceived by some as encouraging more illegal immigration, leading to political backlash.

Complexity and Unintended Outcomes: The complexity of immigration policy resulted in unforeseen consequences, including continued high numbers of undocumented immigrants.

These factors collectively contributed to the failure of Reagan's immigration.