Why Do We Still Talk About the Chinese Exclusion Act Today?

The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed decades ago, yet it continues to be studied today. Its importance lies not only in remembering injustice, but also in understanding how laws emerge, institutions evolve, and history helps us better understand contemporary public affairs.

Did the Chinese Exclusion Act Change Only the Fate of Chinese Immigrants?

The Chinese Exclusion Act changed more than the lives of Chinese immigrants. In enforcing the law, the U.S. federal government developed new systems of identity verification, immigration administration, and legal authority that later became important foundations of America’s modern immigration system.

Why Are Asian Americans Considered a “Disadvantaged Minority” Despite Having High Incomes?

Asian Americans are often viewed as a “successful minority” with high income and educational attainment. But that broader image can also conceal enormous internal differences. From the “model minority” myth to the “average trap,” this is not only a question of data, but also of how institutions define vulnerability.

Are Chinese Americans Becoming an “American Ethnic Group”?

Chinese Americans are moving from an immigrant community toward becoming an American ethnic group. From the first generation to the second, and from transnational ties to localized lives, this shift has already begun. The real question is not whether it is happening, but how we should respond.