During the 1800s and early 1900s various ethnic groups were restricted from immigrating. Mainly asian (and specifically chinese) people were discriminated against. The <u>Exclusion Act of 1882</u> is considered by many historians to be the first <u>explicit</u> exclusionary immigration restriction made to one particular nationality in its entirety. Immigration of chinese laborers was prohibited right then. This was largely the result of racial prejudice from the American people and their authorities.
