immigration

Nearly four decades have passed since federal immigration laws got a major rewrite. The last extensive package to pass Congress came under President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and President George H.W. Bush signed a more limited effort four years later. Even more strikingly, it could be at least that long before another extensive immigration proposal becomes law. The last major chance came 10 years ago, in 2013, when a bipartisan effort led by the "Gang of Eight" U.S. senators from both parties fizzled in the Republican-controlled House.