Why Is Chinese Exclusion Detrimental For The Nation?

Why is Chinese exclusion detrimental for the nation? what values would these individuals and/or groups like to see the nation promote?
Name
History/Asian American Studies 160
TA’s Name
Section
Introduction
The immigration of Chinese subjects, especially in the Pacific west coast caused concerns that they were taking jobs from Americans and unlikely to be assimilated. Laws and acts passed made it difficult for them to participate in the social and political arena while many Chinese Americans were denied citizenship, and faced greater scrutiny from law enforcement authorities even as they rarely engaged in criminal activities. Enacted laws to limit Chinese immigration resulted in unethical practices among law enforcement agents as anti-Chinese and anti-immigrant sentiments were prevalent. Chinese exclusion was created bad image of the U.S while affecting labor relations, the assimilation of Chinese descent, and was associated with the violation of constitutional rights and protection, yet there were ethical reasons and Christian ideals for doing rescinding Chinese exclusion. Chinese exclusion entrenched discrimination against Chinese Americans who wanted to be treated equally and enjoy rights, immunities and privileges like other Americans.
International treaty and bad reputation
President Chester A. Arthur recognized that the Burlingame treaty allowed the voluntary immigration of Chinese people in the U.S. under conditions of curiosity they sought permanent residence and were curiosity. The same would be accorded to the U.S. citizens in China President Arthur vetoed a bill intended to bar Chinese immigration for twenty years, but Congress passed new legislations that called for a ten year ban. In choosing to enforce the provisions of the treaty, the president agreed that there was a need to protect Chinese citizens and subjects living in the U.S. including rights, immunities and privileges that were in the treaty. Enforcing Chinese immigration, then would have been bad for the U.S. since the country would have ignored treaties already signed and suffered a bad image abroad.
Senate Bill No.71 prohibiting Chinese labor migration gained popularity among Republicans and Democrats during President Arthur’s tenure. However, Arthur asserted that the bill breached American national faith and would potentially result in East Asian nations trading with more friendly nations. In other words, ignoring the Burlingame treaty would signal that the U.S was no longer friendly with China even after agreeing to grant Chinese immigrants and travelers immunities and privileges just like American citizens. As such, this would also show that America was not being trusted to keep her promises and protect the Chinese people living in the country.
From the 1870’s many white westerners called for a ban on Chinese immigration and especially those in California. Some of the reasons offered were that they could never be assimilated and they drove down American wages, yet many had come looking for jobs and did not seek to change the places where they relocated. Politicians across the political divide supported limits to Chinese immigration to gain the support of voters on the Pacific coast. Chinese exclusion would pave the way for excluding other people on the basis of race and affect the country’s reputation. The Chinese Exclusion Act was discriminatory and restricted the movement of Chinese nationals and subjects to and from China, and the Act was against the spirit of the Angell Treaty.
Moral concerns
The passage of the Chinese bill prohibiting the immigration of Chinese laborer was discriminatory and there were moral concerns for rescinding the anti-Chinese bill. The Chinese nationals and subject would not affect the country’s development as stated by many supporters of the bill. Furthermore, fears about labor competition were exaggerated even as businesses preferred low wages and the unanimous political decision was a matter of self preservation and ignored the contribution of the Chinese Americans.
The idea that the Chinese immigration would result in social and industrial problems ignored that they were in the U.S already for three decades and only numbered approximately 100,000. While the immigrants would increase competition in the labor market, politicians seized the opportunity to use the issue of immigration for their selfish gain. In any case, businessmen supported a steady flow of cheap labor and naturalization of Chinese immigrants would have affected their ability to access cheap labor. Furthermore, cheap labor...