American Experience (1988)

Episode Overview

Title: The Chinese Exclusion Act Plot: This episode explores the roots and consequences of the 1882 legislation that prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States and barred those already residing in the country from obtaining citizenship. Through historical analysis, we delve into the societal attitudes and political motivations that led to this discriminatory law, examining its profound effects on Chinese communities in America and the enduring legacy of exclusionary practices in U.S. immigration policy.