Expressing Regret for Chinese Exclusion

Reps. Chu & Biggert to Announce Resolution of Regret for Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

Washington D.C. – U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32) and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (IL-13) will announce the introduction of a resolution calling on Congress to formally acknowledge and express regret for the passage of several laws between 1882 and 1904 that violated the fundamental civil rights of Chinese-American settlers. Chu and Biggert will introduce the measure on Thursday in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which celebrates the historical contributions of Asian Americans.
 
In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which imposed a ten-year moratorium on Chinese immigration and naturalization of Chinese settlers. The law was later expanded several times to apply to all persons of Chinese descent and to impose increasingly harsh restrictions on immigration. These laws were repealed in 1943, after China became an ally of the U.S in WWII, but have never been formally acknowledged by Congress as incompatible with America’s founding principles.
 
Who: Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, community advocates and national supporters
 
What: Announcement of resolution to acknowledge and express regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act
 
Where: 2261 Rayburn House Office Building
 
When: Thursday, May 26, 1:45 p.m.
 
Austin Vevurka
Press Secretary
Rep. Judy Chu – CA 32
1520 Longworth House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
202-225-5464
austin.vevurka@mail.house.gov

For a history of the Chinese exclusion act, other Asian exclusion laws, and their effects, see Making and Remaking Asian America Through Immigration Policy (Stanford Press 1993).

 
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