The Chinese Exclusion Laws involved legislation Congress passed between 1879 and 1904 that explicitly discriminated against persons of Chinese descent based on race. The laws imposed increasingly severe restrictions on immigration and naturalization. Congress repealed the laws as a wartime measure in 1943, without any express acknowledgement that the laws violated fundamental civil rights.

The 1882 Project is a nonpartisan, grassroots effort focused on educating policymakers and the public about the Chinese Exclusion Laws and the impact such legislation had on our history. The 1882 Project aims to work with Congress to pass resolutions expressing regret for the implementation of the Chinese Exclusion Laws, and to raise national awareness.

The Chinese Exclusion Laws have affected so many Americans—our parents, our grandparents and our neighbors. It is important to share our stories so that we can understand how individuals and families were affected.