US Immigration Mexican Border Crossings

Online Records

 * 1895-1964 Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964 at Ancestry.com ($). Index and images.
 * 1903-1957 at FamilySearch. Index only, incomplete. How to Use This Collection

Arizona

 * 1906-1955 Arizonia, Arrival Manifests, 1906-1955 at FamilySearch. Includes NARA Publications A3372, A3377, M1504, M1759, M1760, M1769, and M1850.
 * 1902-1910 Texas and Arizona Arrivals, 1903-1910 at FamilySearch. Includes A3365.

New Mexico

 * 1917-1954 New Mexico Alien Arrivals, 1917-1954 at FamilySearch.

Port of Del Rio

 * 1906-1953 Texas, Indexes and Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Del Rio, 1906-1953. A3395 at FamilySearch.

Eagle Pass

 * 1905-1954 Texas, Eagle Pass Arrival Manifests and Indexes, 1905-1954. M2040 at FamilySearch.

ElPaso

 * 1924-1954 Texas, Manifests of Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at El Paso, ca. July 1924-1954. M1757 at FamilySearch.
 * 1945-1952 Texas, El Paso, Applications for Non-Resident Aliens Border Crossing Identification Cards, 1945-1952. M1756 at FamilySearch.
 * 1905-1927 Texas, El Paso Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of El Paso, 1905-1927. A3406 at FamilySearch.
 * 1909-1924 Texas, El Paso Alien Arrivals, 1909-1924. A3412 at FamilySearch.
 * 1924-1952 Texas, El Paso Alien Arrivals, 1924-1952. A3396 at FamilySearch.
 * 1924-1954 Texas, Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Alien Arrivals at El Paso, 1924-1954. A3455 at FamilySearch.

Laredo

 * 1903-1955 Texas, Laredo Arrival Manifests, 1903-1955. A3437 at FamilySearch.
 * 1903-1929 Texas, Laredo Index of Arrivals, 1903-1929. A3379 at FamilySearch.
 * 1929-1955 United States, Texas, Laredo, Index to Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Alien Arrivals, Dec 1929-Apr 1955. A3393 at FamilySearch.

San Antonio

 * 1944-1952 Texas, San Antonio, Alien Arrivals, May 1944-March 1952. M1973 at FamilySearch.

National Archives (NARA)

 * Mexican Border Crossing Records
 * Mexican border crossing records were filmed by the National Archives in 1957. All original records were destroyed when the filming was finished. A detailed description of the films is found on the NARA site. No images or indexes are online through the National Archives.


 * You may access the Mexican Border Crossings by viewing the microfilms at the Family History Library.
 * Or check the National Archives catalog to see if the National Archives facility nearest you holds a copy of the correct film.
 * Access the National Archives catalog through the link then:


 * Find the correct microfilm number. The National Archive film numbers are listed in the tables below.
 * Open the link to NARA's catalog.
 * Put the microfilm number in microfilm search box.
 * Hit the search button.
 * Click on the blue title when it appears.
 * Facilities which hold the film are listed on the right side of the page.
 * View important publication details by clicking on the PDF document on the right-hand side of the page.



Mexican Border Crossings
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 * Mexican Border Crossings immigration records from Mexico to the United States often include detailed family information. Numerous Mexicans came to Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas in the late 19th and early 20th century.
 * Crossing the Frontera is a free online class with search tips and techniques to help you with Mexican Border Crossing records.

New Mexico

 * See also Texas: El Paso, Fabens, Fort Hancock, Ysleta

Texas
Table created 2 May 2013

Card Manifest Contents

 * Keeping statistics on alien arrivals at U.S. land borders was not required by early immigration acts. Thus, statistical treatment of Canadian and Mexican border immigrants at times has differed from that of other immigrants.
 * When records of arrivals began to be kept at the Canadian border in 1895 and at the Mexican border, ca. 1906, the immigration authorities found it impractical to collect arrival information on lists as they did for ship passengers. Therefore, separate cards or "card manifests" for each person were used instead. These cards contained the same information as that collected on traditional ship passenger arrival lists, such as full name, age, sex, marital status, occupation, point of arrival in the United States, and final destination.
 * Different types of card manifests were implemented for various purposes. The most common forms are described below.
 * When viewing these cards it is important to check the reverse side of the card. The "back side" of the card many include instructions about the card, lists of multiple entries into the U.S. for the individual, or an attached photograph.

Statistical reports were for immigrants or non-immigrants from outside the Western Hemisphere.

Non-statistical reports were for immigrants or non-immigrants who were natives of Western Hemisphere nations.