The House expresses regret for the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act

The resolution was passed by voice vote after a brief discussion.

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the only immigration law specifically directed at a particular racial group in American history. It remained in effect for 60 years, until the outbreak of WWII when China and U.S. became allies.

Under the act, Chinese laborers were denied entry to the U.S. Chinese immigrants were not allowed to return once they left the country, leaving many Chinese families torn apart.

Chinese immigrants were not allowed to be naturalized U.S. citizens, and the right to vote was abolished.

California Congresswoman Judy Chu brought forward the resolution of regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act last year, which was passed in the Senate last October. The state of California, which had been the biggest point of entry to Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush, also apologized in 2009 for past discriminations against the Chinese communities.

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