Becoming Legal : A guide to the new immigration law in the workplace : Important Dates

May 5, 1987: Legalization program began.

June 1, 1987: Legalization program for farm workers began.

July 1, 1987: Employer sanctions begin.

Sept. 1, 1987: Deadline for employees to sign a self-attestation that they intend to seek legalization.

Sept. 1, 1987: Employer sanctions in agriculture begin.

May 4, 1988: Legalization program ends.

June 1, 1988: Full enforcement of employer sanctions begins.

Nov. 30, 1988: Legalization program for farm workers ends.

Dec. 1, 1988: Period to file permanent residency applications begins.

Dec. 1, 1989: Adjustment of status for Group I farm workers begins.

Dec. 1, 1989: Adjustment of status for Group II farm workers begins.

June 1, 1992: Earliest date a legalized alien could become eligible for most federal welfare benefits.

Nov. 1, 1993: Earliest date a legalized alien could be granted full citizenship. Aliens must be permanent residents for five years before they can apply to become citizens.