The Chinese Exclusion Act

Name: The Chinese Exclusion Act
Genre: Documentary, History
Released: 2017-01-01
Rating: 5.7
Cast: Hoon Lee, Joel de la Fuente, Yuet-Fung Ho, Fenton Li, Russell Wong

2017| 2h 40m| IMDb 5.7

The Chinese Exclusion Act (2017) is currently streaming in the UK on PBS America On Demand. Last updated 20 January 2026.

Streaming availability last checked 20 January 2026

Documentary History

Examine the origin, history and impact of the 1882 law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here ever to become U.S. citizens. The first in a long line of acts targeting the Chinese for exclusion, it remained in force for more than 60 years.

Director: Li-Shin Yu, Ric Burns