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Immigration Act passed, often known as the "Chinese Exclusion Act."

1882

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The act denies immigration to all Chinese laborers, marking the beginning of several decades of sweeping exclusions of groups considered "undesirable" by the U.S. government. This ban will not be repealed until the passage of the Magnuson Act in 1943, which will instead implement a quota on Chinese immigration.

The 1882 Immigration Act also prohibits the entry of "any lunatic, idiot, or any person unable to take care of himself or herself without becoming a public charge." This is designed to exclude immigrants who might prove “costly,” including convicted "criminals," those living in poverty, and the "mentally ill."