History of Asian Americans - Brittany Le - Christine Sivilay - Mollie Frager

Throughout history, there have been many laws passed by the United States, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico to stop the immigration of Asians countries. Here are some key dates from "The Chinese Must Go!" by Erika Lee.

A B R I E F H I S T O R Y O F A SI A N IMMIGR A NTS IN MEXICO

1886

Anti-Chinese riot in Mazatlán and several unprovoked attacks on the Chinese in Mexico City.

EARLY 1900S

Mexican newspaper described the Chinese as “savages”, “uncivilized”, and “lazy”. Chinese immigration was described as “onda amarilla”, “peste amarilla”, “invasión mongólica” (the yellow wave, the yellow plague, the mongol invasion).

Chinese posed a threat to Mexicans, the antichinistas focused on unfair economic competition. The Chinese dominated

local commerce in groceries, dry food and general merchandise “Impossible to compete with” - Anti-Chinese leader José Angel Espinoza

1908

A new immigration law was passed to regulate immigration and created the Mexican Immigration Service.

1910 The Chinese lived and worked in almost every state and territory in Mexico.

1911

After The Mexican Revolution of 1911 tried to destroy all aspects during the reign of President Porfirio Díaz, including support of US trade and policies that encouraged Chinese immigration. The antichinistas flourished. On May 5, there was a massacre on the Chinese in Torreón. The “two day orgyof unbelieveable brutality” resulted in the death of 303 Chinese (out of the about 300 to 700) and $850,000 worth of property damage to Chinese business and homes.

1922 Sorona legislature passed a law (similar to the US’s Geary Act) that required the registration and identification of all Chinese in the state.