Introduction

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was signed into law on May 6, 1882. Officially titled "An act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese," the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years. It was extended in 1892 for another ten years by the Geary Act and then made permanent in 1902. In 1943, at a time when the United States and China were allies during World War II, the ban on Chinese immigration and naturalization was finally repealed.

Chinese Exclusion Act
From the "Statutes at Large" (22 Stat. 58, Chap. 126). Official Title: An act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese.

P. Frenzeny. Chinese immigrants at the San Francisco custom-house. 1877. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

James Albert Wales. Hobson's choice - you can go or stay. 1886. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

The only one barred out Enlightened American statesman - "We must draw the line somewhere, you know." 1882. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Chinese Exclusion Act: Primary Documents in American History

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Introduction

P. Frenzeny. Chinese immigrants at the San Francisco custom-house. 1877. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

James Albert Wales. Hobson's choice - you can go or stay. 1886. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

The only one barred out Enlightened American statesman - "We must draw the line somewhere, you know." 1882. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.