The group of immigrants who faced discrimination and were subject to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was Chinese.

This landmark legislation was the first significant law in the United States to restrict immigration based on ethnicity. It specifically targeted Chinese laborers, who were seen as a threat to jobs and economic stability during a period of economic unrest. The Act effectively halted Chinese immigration for ten years and was later extended, reflecting widespread anti-Chinese sentiment. It reinforced racial stereotypes and discrimination, marking a dark chapter in U.S. immigration policy and highlighting systemic racism.