The Asian Exclusion Act was passed in 1924 as part of the Immigration Act of 1924. It is an example of race specific legislation in the United States, designed to restrict freedom of movement to people on the basis of their race and national origin. Historians have heavily criticized the Asian Exclusion Act, which was not repealed until 1943, with the Magnuson Act, which instituted quotas for immigrants from around the world. In 1965, the Immigration Act passed the House and the Senate by a large margin, and abolished quotas for immigrants based on national origin.

The roots of the Asian Exclusion Act lie in the Chinese Exclusion Act, passed in 1882. The Chinese Exclusion Act prevented all Chinese immigration specifically, and it was renewed in 1892 after it expired. In 1902, the Chinese Exclusion act was renewed again, this time for an indefinite period. Both pieces of legislation were passed in response to the idea that Asian immigrants posed a threat to American society. Along the West Coast especially, Asians had been seeking their fortunes since the mid 1800s. Some of these immigrants worked hard to achieve their goals, but they were still unable to become citizens or own land. They also faced serious discrimination from European Americans.

Despite the already severe legal and social restrictions on Asian immigration, some European Americans felt that immigration should be forbidden altogether with a specific Asian Exclusion Act. In arguments which seem familiar to modern followers of the immigration debate, Asians were accused of taking white jobs and causing social unrest. Especially in California, Asians and Chinese in particular were already limited to Chinese ghettos, highly dense housing clusters which were prone to fire and violence. Modern-day Chinatown may be a popular tourist destination, but it was once the only place in which Chinese could safely live.

In 1924, growing concerns about immigration from all over the world led to the Immigration Act of 1924, which severely restricted immigration by creating national quotas. The Asian Exclusion Act specifically targeted Asian immigrants, essentially guaranteeing that they would never qualify for naturalization or land ownership. Despite the restrictions of the Asian Exclusion Act, many Asians continued to immigrate into the United States illegally, because they felt that the country offered more opportunities than they had at home.

Like other laws which focused on specific races, the Asian Exclusion Act has since been condemned by historians, lawmakers, and citizens, especially Asian-Americans. It is an important part of American history, especially because some Americans are unaware of the widespread discrimination faced by Asians until the middle of the twentieth century. The Asian Exclusion Act is also frequently referenced in the ongoing discussion about immigration in the United States, usually as an example of what not to do.