History and Genealogy

Read all Featured Stories from the USCIS History Office and Library

Immigration Service Matrons: Female Pioneers in the Federal Workplace

Among the agency’s earliest female employees, Immigration Service matrons performed a variety of tasks at our nation’s immigration stations.
USCIS and the Legacy of Ellis Island

The USCIS History Office’s new documentary film, “USCIS and the Legacy of Ellis Island” tells the story of the iconic Ellis Island immigration station from the perspective of the men and women who worked there. Watch it online now.
Immigration and Naturalization Service Refugee Law and Policy Timeline, 1891-2003

This timeline traces the major events and policies that affected refugee admissions under the INS and its predecessor agencies, from 1891 to 2003.
The McGettrick Certificates

A full text searchable copy of the “McGettrick Certificates” lists is now available online from the USCIS Historical Library. This rare document lists the names of over 1,000 Chinese migrants who, during the 1890s, entered the United States over the eastern Canadian border and received court-issued certificates verifying their claims of U.S. citizenship.
Who's #1? Certificate of Naturalization # 1 and the “First Naturalized U.S. Citizen”

Several curious researchers have asked the USCIS History Office, “Who was the first naturalized U.S. citizen?”
Immigration and Naturalization Services Records for 1930s Mexican Repatriations

The latest Historian’s Mailbox entry explores why researchers may not find “deportation records” for many Mexicans who left the U.S. in the 1930s.
I'm an American

I’M AN AMERICAN debuted on May 4, 1940, on NBC’s Radio Network with the goal of promoting patriotism and citizenship through interviews with newly naturalized Americans.
Bracero Program Images

The USCIS History Library holds several photographs of the Mexican Agricultural Labor Program, commonly called the “Bracero Program,” dating from 1951-1964.
Highlights From The Library Collection - Immigration Commission Reports

Immigration Commission Reports are valuable research aids to anyone interested in the history of the U.S. ...
Genealogy Notebook

Our latest additions to the History and Genealogy webpages address questions common to researching immigrants.
Name Index to Bureau of Naturalization Correspondence

The “name” theme continues in the latest addition to the Research Guide, information about and advice for...
Highlights from the Library Collection

"New Year in America" painting by Lois Johnson shows children in Hmong costumes. Lois Johnson's original oil painting...
Edward Bing Kan: The First Chinese-American Naturalized after Repeal of Chinese Exclusion

The latest entry in the Historian's Mailbox.
Researching Deportation Records

The notebook answers a question about locating historical deportation or exclusion records. This question usually follows...
Quick Guide to finding INS Case and Correspondence Files Related to Specific Individuals

The vast collection of historical Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) subject, policy and correspondence files now...
Read All Featured Stories from the USCIS History Office and Library

Read All Featured Stories from the USCIS History Office and Library published to date.

History and Genealogy

Immigration Service Matrons: Female Pioneers in the Federal Workplace

USCIS and the Legacy of Ellis Island

Immigration and Naturalization Service Refugee Law and Policy Timeline, 1891-2003

The McGettrick Certificates

Who's #1? Certificate of Naturalization # 1 and the “First Naturalized U.S. Citizen”

Immigration and Naturalization Services Records for 1930s Mexican Repatriations

I'm an American

Bracero Program Images

Highlights From The Library Collection - Immigration Commission Reports

Genealogy Notebook

Name Index to Bureau of Naturalization Correspondence

Highlights from the Library Collection

Edward Bing Kan: The First Chinese-American Naturalized after Repeal of Chinese Exclusion

Researching Deportation Records

Quick Guide to finding INS Case and Correspondence Files Related to Specific Individuals

Read All Featured Stories from the USCIS History Office and Library

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