Page Act of 1875
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Page Act of 1875 (ch. 141, 18 Stat. 477, March 3, 1875) was enacted by the United States Congress to deal with immigrants from China and Japan. The law required migrants from Oriental countries be processed at the port of departure by representatives of US Consulates. Those whom are found to be obnoxious were denied departure rights to America.
Although this law was ostensibly paternalistic - to prevent the entry of both prostitutes and forced "Coolie" labourers, it also substantially reduced the opportunities for all oriental women to enter the United States, with adverse consequences for the wives of immigrants already in the country.
[edit] Reference
- Full text of 1875 Page Law, via University of California Hastings College of the Law
Guide to Internet Resources on Racism, Race, and American Law
