The Chinese Exclusion Act had a ripple effect on the United States' immigration policy. In 1907, The Japanese Exclusion Act excluded Japanese from entering the US. The 1965 Immigration Act, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson, abolished the National origin quota system under which immigrants were chosen on the basis of their race and ancestry.
Whereas many Chinese came to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, as did people from other countries, in search of the opportunity to create a better life;
Whereas the United States ratified the Burlingame Treaty on October 19, 1868, which permitted the free movement of the Chinese people to, from, and within the United States and made China a “most favored nation”;....
Whereas the United States was founded on the principle that all persons are created equal: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
SECTION 1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
That the House of Representatives regrets the passage of legislation that adversely affected people of Chinese origin in the United States because of their ethnicity.
-H. Res. 683, June 18, 2012, United States Congress
It meant that they could never participate in elections. That politicians would never have to pay any attention to them. And, I think also it had a kind of symbolic significance in that it sort of read them permanently out of the American political community." -Charles Mcclain, Historian
"Rep. Chu Speaks in Support of Resolution of Regret for Chinese Exclusion Act", 2012, Youtube
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On October 6, 2011, the US Senate apologized for the Chinese Exclusion Act. On June 18, 2012, the House of Representatives passed a bill expressing regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act. |
This piece of legislation passed in 1882 which said if you were Chinese by race or nationality, you were excluded from coming to this country and participation in American citizenship. It was on the books for 61 years and amazingly, it is just not known to the broad population.
-Ric Burns, director "The Chinese Exclusion Act"
For some reason, Asian Americans, no matter how many generations we are in this country, we always get that question: 'Where are you from? No where are you really from?' We're just constantly placed outside of America, and to realize that I could turn that question around and say… 'you know what? My family has probably been here in this country longer than you and your family have been.' That was again another kind of turning point, and I guess it made me more frustrated with those questions."
-Erika Lee, Historian at University of Minnesota
Being a first-generation immigrant and having a Chinese accent, you often hear, 'You're taking advantage of the infrastructure that's built by others who came before you' – assuming, of course, that the 'others' are Caucasian and not really our ancestors," |
Once singled out for exclusion by law from the United States, Chinese immigrants now make up the largest single group of arrivals a year into this country. The Census Bureau says China replaced Mexico as the top country of origin for immigrants to the U.S. in 2013. Given the history, this growth – and the fact that Chinese immigrants are considered part of the Asian-American "model minority" – seems improbable. But the story of Chinese immigration, past and present reminds how fickle our attitudes about immigrants can prove.
-Erika Lee, USA Today, July 7, 2015
The enactment of Chinese Exclusionary laws is a shameful part of our history that must not be forgotten, I hope this resolution will serve to enlighten those who may not be aware of this regrettable chapter in our history, and bring closure to the families whose loved ones lived through this difficult time.”
-Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif
Dragons historically the Chinese would say represent the Emperor, fertility, bringer for rain and as a composite animal. The best part of all the animals; eyes the rabbit, ears of the cow, mouth of the camel, body of the serpent, talons of eagle, legs of a tiger, whiskers of a catfish and on and on. Well for me that represents diversity and that's what America's about if you have the best of all the parts you're the most powerful and the Dragon is the most powerful and most mythological for the Chinese."
- David Lei, Historian