In addition to having specific racially targeted immigration laws, Asians also faced other laws that restricted their rights, laws that restricted their path to become citizens of the United States, and other immigration restriction acts that were not specifically geared towards them, but were affected by it.

The U.S. Naturalization law, enacted in 1790, granted American citizenship to all immigrants who were “free white persons of good character” but it also denied American citizenship from every other race (“Japanese Immigration to the United States”). Under this law,  American Indians, indentured servants, slaves, free blacks, and Asians could not obtain citizenship. Without citizenship, immigrants were the butt of discrimination.

Immigration Act of 1882
-included Page Act and Chinese Exclusion Act
-‘head tax’ of 50 cents was imposed on all immigrants landing at US ports thus restricted immigrants from Europe, including Russia

Immigration Act of 1891
-regulated the inspection and deportation of immigrants

Angel Island Immigration Station
-opened up from January 21, 1910 through November 5 1940

Immigration Act of 1917 – Barred Zone ACt
-reading test

Immigration Act of 1924   – 2% – permanent.
-included the 1921 Emergency Quota Act –  3% restriction
-repealed in by 1965 Hart-Cellar Act

Immigration and Nationality Act (1952)

It would not be until the Immigration Act of 1990 where change was made to the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (“Immigration Laws and Policies Since 1980”)

There are been improvements but the fight is not over yet.