The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) (Public Law 99-603) amended
and repealed sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The IRCA provides
for the legalization of illegal aliens who meet certain requirements and updates the
registry date which allows INS to process certain illegal aliens differently. (See
SI
00501.420 and SI 00501.425 for instructions on the entry date and PRUCOL based on continuous residence.)
A provision of the IRCA precludes legalized aliens from eligibility for Federal programs
of financial assistance for 5 years. One exception to this prohibition is assistance
provided to an aged, blind or disabled individual, as defined by the SSI statute.
Thus, there is no restriction on a legalized alien's filing for SSI (including State
supplementary payments) and receiving benefits, including Medicaid based on SSI payments,
if eligible.
Public Law 100-204, section 902, provided that nationals of certain countries which
were provided or allowed to continue in extended voluntary departure (EVD) during
the 5-year period ending November 1, 1987 and who have continuously resided in the
U.S. since before July 21, 1984 were eligible to apply for lawful temporary resident
(LTR) status under IRCA. Aliens granted LTR status may apply for lawfully admitted
permanent resident (LAPR) status within the 1-year period beginning with the nineteenth
month that begins after the date LTR status is granted.