Key Immigration Laws Impacting Chinese Americans: A Historical Overview

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: This legislation was the first major law to restrict immigration to the United States. It specifically targeted Chinese immigrants and prohibited them from entering the country for ten years. The law was later extended and made permanent in 1902, and was not repealed until 1943. The Chinese Exclusion Act had a significant impact on the Chinese American community, as it severely limited the number of Chinese immigrants who could come to the United States and contributed to the development of a permanent Chinese American population.

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965: This legislation abolished the national origins quota system that had been in place since the 1920s, which had severely limited immigration from Asian countries including China. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 eliminated restrictions on immigration based on national origin, and instead established a system that prioritized family reunification and skilled workers. This law had a major impact on Chinese Americans, as it opened up new opportunities for immigration and family reunification, and helped to diversify the Asian American population in the United States.