When the country was still on the rise, many Chinese workers immigrated to the US, ready to work on the railroads and in mines, agriculture, factories, and other areas to help build up the country. However, as the success of such immigrants grew, so did a strong anti-Chinese vibe. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act and extended it in 1892.

As a “reward” for becoming an ally in the war against Germany and Japan, Congress repealed this law in 1943 and set a quota of admitting 105 Chinese immigrants a year.