Chinese Exclusion Act 1882

I came across this bit of information in a novel about the Japanese Relocation period on the west coast of the US in the early days of WWII.  When the above act was passed it created a problem for fishermen on the west coast as they wanted and needed cheap labor (somethings never change).  At that time the Chinese workers worded for less and worked very hard.  So hard that when canning machines were introduced they were referred to as "Iron Chinks".  Local businessmen however, still needed cheap labor so they got around the Exclusion Act by bringing in Japanese workers.  This created harsh feelings between the Japanese and Chinese communities on the west coast.

(Source:  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.  2009