Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 “was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States.” Signed by President Chester A. Arthur, this act allowed a 10 year suspension on labor immigration from the Chinese. This act required that any non-laborers who wanted entry into the U.S. must have certification from the Chinese government in order to immigrate. They found that proving to be non-laborers was very difficult because this act excluded the Chinese who were skilled/unskilled laborers and those who were employed in mining. The act also required that any Chinese person who left the U.S. after already entering must have certifications from the Chinese government in order to re-enter. This