US Immigration Mexican Border Crossings

Mexican Border Crossings

 * 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.

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

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. See Locating a Specific Film.'''
 * 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.

New Mexico

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

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.