OCA Marks Magnuson Act Anniversary Reflecting on Repeal of Chinese Exclusion Acts
December 17, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates commemorates the anniversary of the Magnuson Act, which repealed the Chinese Exclusion Acts and marked a key moment in the fight for civil rights in the United States.
The Chinese Exclusion Acts, starting with the 1882 law, were the first U.S. laws to explicitly target and exclude a specific ethnic group from immigration and citizenship, fueled by racial prejudice and economic fears. For 61 years, these laws barred Chinese laborers from entering the U.S., denied naturalization rights, and subjected Chinese Americans to discrimination and violence. On December 17, 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Magnuson Act, granting Chinese Americans the right to naturalization and permitting a small quota of Chinese immigrants to enter the U.S. While a step toward justice, the Act did not eliminate the enduring challenges faced by Chinese Americans and other immigrant communities.
“As we commemorate the Magnuson Act, we reflect on the legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Acts and the hardship they inflicted on Chinese Americans,” said OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates President Linda Ng. “The Magnuson Act represented a pivotal moment for our community, but it also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to be done. We must continue to stand up for justice and equality, not just for Chinese Americans, but for all immigrants and people of color.”
“While we honor the resilience and achievements of Chinese Americans who fought against exclusion,” said OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates Executive Director Thu Nguyen, “we must also acknowledge the ongoing struggle against anti-Asian discrimination and racial profiling. The need for comprehensive immigration reform remains urgent, especially as we face the potential return of policies that threaten to further marginalize immigrant communities, including the AANHPI community.”
OCA opposes any attempts to roll back the progress made toward immigrant rights and stands firm in advocating for humane and just immigration policies that protect all communities, as rhetoric and policy proposals targeting immigrants resurface in today’s political landscape.
Please direct all inquiries to OCA Communications Associate Socheata Sun at socheata.sun@ocanational.org. View this press release on our website.
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OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
