The Chinese Confession Program marked the last decade in the life of the Chinese Exclusion Act , the first major federal restriction of an entire specific ethnic group 's immigration in the United States . The Chinese Exclusion Act forbade the immigration of skilled and unskilled laborers from China . Exceptions were made for diplomats as well as certain family members of American citizens of Chinese origin . These exceptions were used by many Chinese to immigrate under false pretenses to the United States . For instance , Chinese-Americans who went home to visit family in China might bring back younger Chinese , claiming to be their parents . This practice was called " Paper Sons " , and it came into prominence after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and accompanying fire destroyed many of the city 's records
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Chinese Confession Program