Overview of the Chinese Exclusion Act

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 marked a significant turning point in U.S. immigration law, being the first legislation to restrict immigration based specifically on nationality. This act prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the U.S. for ten years, with subsequent amendments extending this ban and making it permanent until 1943. The legislation not only targeted Chinese immigrants but also set a precedent for future laws aimed at excluding other groups, thereby shaping a racially motivated immigration framework. Its influence persisted beyond its repeal, as it initiated a legal precedent allowing for majoritarian control over immigration policy free from substantial judicial oversight.