What legislation enacted in 1882 significantly restricted immigration to the U.S.?

The Chinese Exclusion Act, enacted in 1882, is significant because it marked the first time the United States implemented wide-ranging laws that explicitly restricted immigration based on nationality. It specifically targeted Chinese laborers, reflecting the growing anti-Chinese sentiment and fear among Americans that Chinese immigrants were taking jobs and lowering wages for American workers. This Act effectively barred Chinese laborers from entering the U.S. and set a precedent for future immigration restrictions based on race and ethnicity.

In contrast, other options pertain to different immigration policies or occurred in different contexts. The Immigration Act, if viewed as a broad label, doesn't specify a particular piece of legislation that has the same impact as the Chinese Exclusion Act. The Emergency Quota Act and the National Origins Act both emerged later in the 20th century and dealt with immigration quotas and the regulation of immigration from various countries based on national origins, rather than focusing on a specific group like the Chinese Exclusion Act did. Thus, the Chinese Exclusion Act stands out as a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration history, defining the restrictions based on race and setting a tone for future immigration policies.