An Act Respecting Chinese Immigration, or The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923 effectively ended Chinese immigration from China for nearly twenty–five years. There were a few strict exceptions for bona fide temporary migrants such as merchants, diplomats, students and tourists. In nearly all cases, husbands living in Canada with wives and children in China were legally prevented from reuniting in Canada during this period. In addition, under this law, all Chinese people living in Canada, even those born in Canada, had to register with the federal government.