Citation: "Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)." American History.
Summary: This document is called The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882). This act made it illegal for people of the Chinese race to enter into the United States or become a citizen of the United States for 10 years. Before this act, the Chinese who immigrated to the U.S. were treated horribly, and given very unfair wages for their work. They were forced to live under very harsh conditions and were often attacked by Americans who believed that they were stealing job from them. The act stated that 90 days after the act was put into effect would be when the United States would stop letting Chinese immigrants into the country, and that this would continue for 10 years after the act issued. The act also declared that any person who helped a Chinese immigrant gain entry to the country would be guilty of a crime, punishable of a fine of 500 dollars for each Chinese immigrant that they were responsible for helping, and up to one year in jail. Chinese Immigrants who had already been living in America before the act, or who had immigrated to America before the 90 day period following the enactment of the act, would not be penalized for living in the United States. To make sure that the Chinese immigrants that were in the United States before the issuing of this act remain free and respected, a list of all of the Chinese immigrants in the United States at that time will be made after the 90 day period. Chinese immigrants in the United States must acquire a certificate stating that they are a citizen of the United States before leaving, if they are planning on returning to the country.
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