US Immigration Policy And How It Affects US Economy Research Paper

US Immigration Policy And How It Affects US Economy - Research Paper Example The first legal regulations for immigration into the US were targeting the Asian community, with the first being the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, under the administration of President Chester A. Arthur (Soennichsen 67). According to the law, regulations were in place to prohibit Chinese citizens from immigrating into the US on any conditions. There was further amendment to the law, enabling it to remain in effect until the Second World War. Part of the Chinese Exclusion Act was against the immigration of â€Å"idiots, lunatics, and convicts† into the US population.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was part of a long-standing anti-Chinese sentiment since their immigration into the country during the gold rush era. The act was initially set to ban the immigration of the Chinese citizens for the ten-year duration but was extending it indefinitely in 1904. During the gold rush era, most Chinese citizens fled to form their country in search of employment opportunities from their failing economy. There was looming poverty, and the free entry to the US provided an opportune chance for them to escape poverty. On arrival to the country, the Chinese immigrants became an exploited labour force for the Americans, notably the California natives. The â€Å"small† wages they were receiving from the Americans was relatively high in comparison to their 1850s economy. Most of the Chinese became miners, while others ventured into the laundry business (especially in San Francisco where the business was lucrative ).