Answer:
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a federal law that prohibited Chinese immigrants from entering the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
This law was the first of its kind to specifically target a particular ethnic group, and it was motivated by a strong nativist sentiment that was prevalent in the United States at the time.
Nativist opposition to immigration was fueled by a number of factors, including concerns about the economic impact of immigrants on American workers, fears of cultural and religious differences, and a belief that certain immigrant groups were not assimilating into American society. Nativists also often argued that the influx of immigrants was changing the character of the United States and threatening the country's traditional values and way of life. These concerns led to the passage of restrictive immigration laws, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, as well as to widespread anti-immigrant sentiment and discrimination.