What did the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 specifically address?

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 specifically suspended Chinese immigration to the United States. This landmark legislation was the first significant legal restriction on free immigration in U.S. history and was a response to the growing anti-Chinese sentiment and economic competition perceived by many white Americans, particularly in the western states. The act aimed to curb the influx of Chinese laborers, who were often blamed for lowering wages and taking jobs from American workers. By suspending immigration, the Act not only reflected the racial prejudices of the time but also established a precedent for future immigration restrictions based on nationality and ethnicity, setting a tone for federal immigration policy in the years to come.