Co-founded in 2009 by Ted Gong — historian, community leader, and former U.S. Immigration Officer — the 1882 Foundation ensures the lessons of exclusion are never forgotten.
We promote public understanding of the Chinese Exclusion Laws — the first federal laws to ban immigration and citizenship based on race — and their lasting impact on America’s promise of equality.
For more than 60 years, the Chinese Exclusion Laws legitimized racial discrimination and denied generations of Chinese Americans their rights. By sharing these histories, the Foundation honors their resilience and ensures their stories remain part of America’s collective memory.
In 2011 and 2012, after a nationwide campaign led by key organizations, Congress formally acknowledged this injustice. The key organizations included:
Unanimous Senate and House resolutions — introduced by Senator Scott Brown and Representative Judy Chu — condemned the Exclusion Laws, reaffirmed America’s duty to protect civil rights, and paved the way for a future Presidential Statement of Apology.
More than a century later, Congress’s 2011 “Statements of Regret” offered long-awaited recognition, turning remembrance into a step toward healing and inclusion.
On December 17, 2023 — marking the 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act — President Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued a historic statement acknowledging the Act’s enduring harm and celebrating the strength and contributions of Chinese Americans. His words reflected the very acknowledgment Congress had envisioned over a decade earlier, reaffirming that America’s diversity is its greatest strength and that hate must find no safe harbor.
Click on the images above to view the complete House, Senate, and Presidential documents.
Ensuring the history, experiences, and contributions of Chinese Americans are recognized, preserved, and integrated into the American narrative through our key initiatives:
• Talk Story • Education • Collaborations • Chinatown Futures
A future where Chinese American experiences are fully recognized, celebrated, and woven into the fabric of American identity.
