In Chicago’s case, most of these laws were eventually struck down by the City Hall lawyers who warned the aldermen they couldn’t single out individual types of restaurants for special rules. Still, in 1911, the City Council was able to pass the ordinance to refuse construction and remodeling permits to people of Chinese descent around 23rd and Wabash. The rationale? That “the Chinese of the city of Chicago are invading said neighborhood” and “if they are permitted to settle in said neighborhood it will materially affect and depreciate the value of the property.”