There was a huge wave of Chinese immigrants who came to the United States between 1849 and 1882.  The Chinese passed through Angel Island to enter America. They came mostly because of the California Gold Rush in which many Chinese worked and prospered.  Working during the gold rush was not the only thing the Chinese did. They did well in the personal services business.

Though many Chinese came during that short time period, the Chinese immigration to America suddenly stopped in 1882 because of the Chinese Exclusion Act.  The Chinese were then not allowed to come into the United States until 1943.

After 1882, more than 110,000 Chinese people lived in America.

Chinese Immigration

Chinese Immigrants in the U.S.