Alien's Application for Permission to Depart the United States of America.

Fallascosani Returning Home:

 Prior to 1914 there was little need for a passport in order to arrive or leave the United States.  With the entry of the U.S. into World War I, it became apparent that the country must protect itself from foreign agents.
As of 26 July 1917, passports were required.  By the Act of May 22, 1918, foreigners wishing to leave the country were required to file an "Alien's Application for Permission to Depart from the United States" As the war drew to a close many persons chose to return to their native land.  For the fiscal year ending 30 June 1919, 10,730 applications were received at
Philadelphia.

 Eventually, being obsolete, these files were disposed of by the INS offices throughout the U.S., EXCEPT in Philadelphia.  Some 2500 of these have survived for the period September 1918 to January 1919.  Over half of these are from Italian citizens (Birds of Passage).   Twenty-seven countries are represented.

 These applications contain a wealth of information regarding these individuals.  Besides their name, age and parentage, there is where, when and how they arrived in the U.S. and where they have been residing.  Finally there is a full physical description with a photograph.  Spouses and children under 14 years of age were covered by the same application.

                                                                            by Herbert Hart,  hdh3@worldnet.att.net