In the late 1800s, the treatment of Chinese and Hispanic individuals in America differed significantly in several ways. One key distinction was that Hispanics were allowed to become American citizens, but the Chinese people were not able to become U.S. citizens due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which specifically targeted Chinese immigrants and prohibited them from becoming naturalized citizens.
Additionally, Hispanics faced discrimination and were often not considered equal by many white settlers, similar to the discrimination faced by Chinese immigrants; however, the dynamics of their integration into American society differed. Overall, while both groups experienced significant prejudice, the legal status regarding citizenship was notably different.