At America's Gates

At America's Gates by Erika Lee examines the profound impact of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which marked the first time race and class were used to exclude a group from the United States. Lee investigates how this pivotal legislation reshaped not only the lives of Chinese immigrants and their families but also the very fabric of America's identity as a nation of immigrants. Through a wealth of historical sources, including immigration records and personal accounts, the book uncovers the struggles and successes of Chinese immigrants while highlighting the lasting legacy of exclusionary practices in contemporary immigration policy and race relations.