Naturalization Terms and Acronyms: Difference between revisions

''[[United States of America|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Naturalization and Citizenship|U.S. Naturalizations]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Naturalization Terms and Acronyms|Terms & Acronyms]]''  

'''AL: '''Abbreviation found on the US censuses from 1900 to 1930. It means the immigrant had not begun the process to naturalization and was still an “alien.”  

'''Alien Files:''' Also known as A-Files. Began on April 1, 1944 and went until 1956. This file contained all records of an immigrant who had not yet naturalized. If naturalized, the records were transferred to a C-File. It can include applications, visas, photographs and other information. The USCIS were the custodians of the A-Files. However, these files are scheduled to be transferred in 2010 to the San Francisco and Kansas City branches of the National Archives and can be obtained through them.  

'''Alien Registration Forms:''' Began August 1940 with the intent of fingerprinting and documenting all aliens living in the US. This included those 14 and older. These forms contained extensive information about the alien including date of birth, date and port of arrival, occupation, and physical description. To obtain a copy of these forms, it must be ordered from the USCIS through their [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a9ba4970c722b110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d21f3711ca5ca110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD Genealogy Program].  

'''Certificate of Arrival:''' After 1906 an immigrant was required to submit a certificate of arrival when he petitioned for citizenship in order to prove the length of his residency. This document gives the place of entry, manner of arrival, and the date of arrival. This was kept in the file with the petition.