The Chinese Exclusion
Act 1882
CHAP. 126.—An act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese.
Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese
laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within
the territory thereof: Therefore,
Be it enacted by the
Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That
from and after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this
act, and until the expiration of ten years next after the passage of this act,
the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be, and the same is hereby,
suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be lawful for any Chinese
laborer to come, or, having so come after the expiration of said ninety days,
to remain within the United States.
SEC.
2.
That the master of any vessel who shall knowingly bring within the United
States on such vessel, and land or permit to be landed, any Chinese laborer,
from any foreign port or place, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on
conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred
dollars for each and every such Chinese laborer so brought, and may be also
imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year....