From their arrival during the Gold Rush, the Chinese experienced discrimination and racism, and even in the end exclusion. Actions in the form of laws were used against Chinese immigrants and began as early as the 1850. It started with the Miners' License Tax law. The purpose of this tax was to protect the White people's jobs. The tax gradually increased until it reached $20 per month. In 1854 the California State Supreme Court categorized Chinese with Blacks and Indians, and denied them their right to testify against white men in courts of law. An economic downturn resulted in serious unemployment problems, and has led to more raised protest against Asian immigrants. The Chinese often become the "fall guys" for business owners who pay them low wages. Their willingness to work for lower wages along with the productivity of the Chinese workers ignites the fury of white labor in California. Racist labor union leaders direct their actions and their anger of unemployment towards the Chinese, blaming them for depressed wages, lack of jobs, and accusing them of being morally corrupt. Denis Kearney, head of the Workingmen's Party of California, led a fiery battle against the Chinese. As a consequence of this hostility, local and statewide restrictions continue to be enforced against the Chinese. Recently, the United States government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. This restricts Chinese laborers from immigrating for ten years. Only officials, teachers, students, merchants, and travelers are currently allowed to enter. The Chinese in the United States are forbidden from naturalization. China, as the home country for these immigrants, are unable to exert any influence on American policy.