The Chinese Exclusion Act

When the Chinese Exclusion Act was finally repealed in 1943, it significantly changed how the U.S. handled immigration, especially after World War II. Thanks to the persistent efforts of the International Institute of New England (IINE), doors shut for over 60 years were opened for Chinese immigrants. After the war, there was a surge of people moving from countries devastated by the conflict, which meant there was a real need for support systems to help them rebuild their lives. That’s where the IINE became a lifeline for many newcomers, offering crucial help like job placement, English language classes, and legal guidance. Their hard work didn’t just help individuals; it set the stage for broader immigration reforms and highlighted a changing attitude in the U.S. towards Asian immigrants, where support and opportunity began to replace exclusion.