In 1882, the United States Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first federal law that restricted immigration based explicitly on nationality. In practice, the Act banned entry to all ethnically Chinese immigrants besides diplomats, and prohibited existing immigrants from obtaining citizenship. Robert Chang details the lasting impact the Act had on immigrant rights and freedoms. [Directed by Mohammad Babakoohi & Yijia Cao, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott, music by Jian Nanyin].

Robert Chang: The dark history of the Chinese Exclusion Act

The dark history of the Chinese Exclusion Act

The Scott Act's 1888 enforcement, leaving Chae Chan Ping stranded, unveils the US's harsh turn against Chinese immigrants.

In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act marked a pivotal shift, being the first US law to restrict immigration based on nationality.

The Supreme Court's 1889 decision against Ping set a precedent, enabling xenophobic policies under 'national security' claims.