Background
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) began issuing each immigrant an alien registration number in 1940, and on April 1, 1944, began using this number to create individual files, called Alien Files or A-Files. From 1944 to 1956 A-Files contained all records of any active case of an immigrant not yet naturalized. Upon naturalization all records were moved to a consolidated C-File and the A-File ceased to exist.
Who had an A-File below 8 million?
All immigrants admitted to the United States between April 1, 1944 and May 1, 1951, should have an A-File numbered below 8 million unless they naturalized prior to April 1, 1956 (they will have a C-File). Also, immigrants who were issued an alien registration number prior to April 1, 1944 and whose case re-opened after that date. Cases were reopened when an immigrant filed any kind of application, for example to replace a document, obtain a border crossing card, or petition for an immigrant relative. An A-File might also be created without any action taken by the immigrant, for example if INS initiated a law enforcement action against or involving the immigrant.
Immigrants who registered between 1940 and 1944 will have an A-number below 8 million and an Alien Registration Form on microfilm, but unless their case re-opened after 1944 they will have no A-file.
The Files Today
A-Files below 8 million are just the oldest fraction of the USCIS’ immense A-File series of more than 60 million case files. Inactive A-Files are stored in various locations, with the majority of older files held in the USCIS National Records Center. The oldest A-Files, numbering approximately from the 1 million series to the 5.5 million series, are often consolidated A-Files. They document immigrants who arrived prior to 1940 but whose cases re-opened after 1944. When re-opened, any prior files (Visa Files, Registry Files, etc.) were consolidated with (placed inside) the A-File and ceased to exist in their original series.
Research Value
A-Files are a rich source of biographical information in that they contain relatively modern immigration documents, all in one file. Since the early 20th century the United States collected increasing amounts of information from immigrants and A-Files from mid-century hold a wealth of data, including visas, photographs, applications, affidavits, correspondence, and more.
Index Search Issues
A-Files are indexed by name, date of birth, and place of birth. Many A-File index entries also include the port and date of arrival, and may indicate the INS district where the immigrant lived.
Record Request Issues
Because A-Files are not stored at USCIS Headquarters or the nearby Federal Records Center, retrieval of the files may take a little longer than for other file series.
A-Files may include documents containing personal information about other persons (called "third parties") who may still be living, such as the immigrant's children, other family, or neighbors. A document containing third party personal information is not releasable outside the Freedom of Information (FOIA) process, so some records received from the Genealogy Program may have some information redacted.
Where do I find an A- File number?
Some researchers find A-numbers among an immigrant’s personal papers. If an immigrant naturalized after ca. 1942, they may find the A-number noted on a court naturalization records index card. Only A-Files numbered below 8 million may be requested via a Genealogy Record Request. A-Files numbered 8 million and above must be requested via the USCIS Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program.
A-numbers below 8 million for deceased persons may be obtained by submitting a Genealogy Index Search Request on form G-1041.
