Border crossing card

NARA's Mexican border records include applications for two kinds. Form I-189, for resident aliens, gives the U.S. address, birthplace, occupation, physical description and the date, place and means of lawful entry for permanent residence. Form I-190, for nonresident aliens, gives the place of residence and the purpose of visits. Both carry a fingerprint or photograph and the card number.

Earlier identity cards existed too, such as the Alien Laborer's Identification Card for Mexican workers admitted temporarily under a 1918 Labor Department circular, and border permit cards. One microfilmed series covers nonresident applications made at El Paso from about 1945 to 1952.