Worthy Christian News > US News > US Marks Anniversary of Repeal of Exclusion Act As Surge of Chinese Immigrants Come to America

US Marks Anniversary of Repeal of Exclusion Act As Surge of Chinese Immigrants Come to America

(Worthy News) – Marking the 80th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act’s repeal, the U.S. is witnessing a surge of Chinese immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border as they seek asylum from a repressive Communist regime in their home country.

The U.S. Border Patrol reports that from January to September, over 24,000 Chinese migrants entered the country without authorization via the border, a figure approximately 13 times higher than the number recorded in the same period last year. Moreover, this is more than the total number over the past decade.

Despite the arduous and dangerous journey through Central and South America, the chances of successfully entering the U.S. remain high. This Chinese migration is fueled by a sense of despair caused by Xi Jinping’s oppressive regime and the stringent COVID-19 lockdowns.

ChinaAid, a Christian nonprofit organization, reports that Chinese immigrants seeking asylum have cited various reasons for their choice. These include the worsening human rights situation in their home country, enhanced access to information via social media regarding crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and restrictions regarding religious freedom.

BIDEN MARKS ANNIVERSARY

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 stands out in U.S. history as the sole law targeting a particular ethnic group. President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially repealed it on December 17, 1943, which, for the first time, granted Chinese Americans equal citizenship rights.

The enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act was primarily a reaction to the significant arrival of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. during the mid-1800s, who primarily worked on railroads, in gold mines, and in other industries. By the late 19th century, resentment and hostility towards the Chinese community grew among white laborers, who perceived Chinese migrants as a threat to their employment and way of life. This sentiment is documented by the New York Historical Society, where “The Chinese Must Go” emerged as a prevalent slogan of that era.

In a statement commemorating the anniversary, President Biden acknowledged, “For generations, people of Chinese heritage have enriched our country — from Chinese laborers who did backbreaking work to build the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s to the Chinese Americans who serve in our military, to the authors, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and scholars of today.”

“We honor them, and all immigrants, who continue to make extraordinary contributions to our nation.”