Legal Definitions - Chinese Exclusion Act

Chinese Exclusion Act

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a significant federal law enacted in the United States in 1882. It marked the first time in American history that a specific ethnic group was broadly barred from immigrating to the country. The Act effectively halted the immigration of Chinese laborers for a period of ten years and explicitly prohibited Chinese persons already residing in the U.S. from becoming naturalized citizens. While some categories, such as merchants, teachers, students, and travelers, were initially exempt from the entry ban, the law's primary impact was to severely restrict the entry of most Chinese individuals and deny citizenship rights to those already living in the country.

This discriminatory legislation was eventually repealed by the Magnuson Act in 1943, during World War II, as the U.S. and China were allies. However, other restrictive immigration policies continued to impact Chinese immigration until the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.

• Example 1: Denial of Re-entry for a Laborer

  Imagine a Chinese man named Mr. Chen who had worked on the railroads in California for fifteen years. In 1887, he decided to visit his aging parents in China, intending to return to his life and work in the U.S. However, upon attempting to re-enter the United States a year later, immigration officials denied him entry. Despite his long history of residency and contributions in America, the Chinese Exclusion Act barred him as a Chinese laborer, preventing his return.

  This example illustrates how the Act functioned to prevent Chinese laborers, even those with established lives in the U.S., from re-entering the country, effectively severing their ties and livelihoods.

• Example 2: Ineligibility for Citizenship

  Consider Mrs. Lee, who arrived in San Francisco in 1870 and, over the next two decades, built a successful laundry business and raised her American-born children. By 1892, she had lived in the U.S. for 22 years, contributed to her community, and paid taxes. Desiring to formalize her commitment to her adopted country, she applied for U.S. citizenship. Her application was swiftly rejected because the Chinese Exclusion Act explicitly stated that Chinese persons were ineligible for naturalization, regardless of their length of residency or contributions.

  This scenario demonstrates the Act's provision that denied Chinese residents the fundamental right to become naturalized citizens, creating a permanent class of non-citizens.

• Example 3: Family Separation

  In 1895, Dr. Wong, a respected Chinese physician who had legally immigrated to the U.S. before the Act and was allowed to remain due to his professional status, wished for his younger brother, a farmer, to join him from China. Dr. Wong believed his brother could find work and build a new life in America. However, when his brother applied for entry, he was denied. The immigration authorities cited the Chinese Exclusion Act, which broadly prohibited the entry of Chinese laborers, even if they were family members of Chinese individuals already legally residing in the U.S.

  This example highlights how the Act's restrictions on entry led to the painful separation of families, preventing many Chinese individuals from reuniting with relatives already living in the United States.