The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 had a significant impact on Chinese immigrants who were already in the United States. Among the provided options, the most accurate is:
The act blocked Chinese immigrants from becoming American citizens.
The act implemented serious restrictions on Chinese immigration and made it nearly impossible for Chinese immigrants to gain citizenship, reinforcing their status as a marginalized group within American society. While the act did not specifically force existing immigrants to leave the country, it did create an environment of discrimination and exclusion that affected their rights and opportunities. It did not prohibit the establishment of Chinatowns or prevent Chinese immigrants from taking low-paying jobs, as many were already engaged in such work.