A more thorough explanation:

Amnesty is a legal pardon given to individuals or a group of people who have committed an offense. In immigration law, amnesty is a pardon given by the government to those who have violated immigration policies. This means that illegal immigrants or undocumented immigrant aliens can gain permanent residency in the United States without facing any legal consequences.

For example, in 1986, the U.S. government provided amnesty to all undocumented aliens who had arrived in the country before January 1, 1982, through the Immigration Reform and Control Act. This meant that those who had used forged or false documentation to gain employment or stay in the country were forgiven and allowed to stay in the U.S. permanently.

Another example of amnesty is when a government pardons political prisoners or rebels who have committed crimes against the state. This is done to promote peace and reconciliation in the country.

Overall, amnesty is a legal tool used by governments to forgive individuals or groups who have committed offenses and allow them to live without fear of legal consequences.