Which of the following is NOT a key principle of the Immigration Reform and Control Act?

The correct answer highlights that mandating employee background checks prior to hiring is not a key principle of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). Rather, the IRCA primarily focuses on the prevention of unauthorized employment and the enforcement of work eligibility for individuals working in the United States.

The act established specific guidelines to ensure that employers verify the legal work status of their employees through the use of the I-9 form, making work eligibility verification a fundamental requirement. Additionally, it prohibits discrimination against individuals based on national origin and establishes penalties for employers found guilty of hiring undocumented workers.

While background checks may be a standard hiring practice for various employers, they are not mandated by the IRCA as a function of immigration control and are therefore not embedded within the act's core principles.