The Chinese Exclusion Act

139 years ago today, U.S. President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act into law, restricting Chinese immigration and travel to the United States to all but a few groups. Initially intended to last only 10 years, it was later amended and extended, and combined with other anti-Chinese and anti-immigrant policies, not only limited Chinese entry into the United States, but also prohibited non-native-born Chinese from obtaining U.S citizenship. The Act and related legislation were not repealed until 1943.

"The Six" arrived in New York and faced these exclusion policies immediately, likely denying them access to medical attention and other compassionate services available to all of Titanic's other survivors.