1928 U.S. Immigrant ID Card for Non-Quota Visa – A Rare Immigration Document

📌 Explore a rare 1928 U.S. immigrant identification card issued to a Peruvian refugee under a Non-Quota Immigration Visa. A valuable resource for historians, genealogists, and researchers studying early 20th-century immigration policies.

1928 Immigrant ID Card issued by the US Department of Labor for a Non-Quota Immigration Visa to a Peruvian refugee, Jose Mario Farban of Lima, Peru.GGA Image ID # 1fbb8b1567

1928 Immigrant ID Card for Non-Quota Immigration Visa – A Rare Look at U.S. Immigration Policy 🛂📜

The 1928 Immigrant Identification Card, issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a historically significant artifact that provides insight into early 20th-century immigration procedures. This particular document, belonging to Jose Mario Farban of Lima, Peru, illustrates the meticulous record-keeping and regulatory frameworks imposed on immigrants entering the United States.

This non-quota immigration visa was an important classification that allowed certain immigrants—such as refugees, professionals, or family reunification cases—to enter the U.S. without being subject to annual immigration quotas.

This historical document is particularly valuable for:

✅ Teachers & Students – Studying U.S. immigration laws, refugee policies, and Latin American migration

✅ Genealogists – Tracing immigrant family records and understanding visa classifications

✅ Historians – Researching non-quota visas and immigration enforcement in the 1920s

✅ Anyone interested in immigration history – Understanding how identity documents evolved over time

📌 Students writing essays on immigration law, refugee policies, or Latin American migration patterns can use this document as a primary source for research.

Immigrant Identification Card

United States Department of Labor

• Surname: Faspan
• Given Name: Jose Mario
• Country of Birth: Peru
• Date of Birth: 13 February 1903
• Nationality: Peruvian
• Color of Eyes: Brown
• Port of Arrival: New York
• Ship: Eassqubs? Illegible
• Date Admitted: 28 August 1928
• Status of Admission: Illegible
• Immigrant Signature: Joseph M. B. Faspan (Last name difficult to decipher)
• Immigrant Inspector: G. B. Travis

Reverse Side of Immigrant Identification Card for Non-Quota Immigration Visa - 1928. GGA Image ID # 1fbbb7f1b4

Original

Department of State of the United States of America

American Consulate at Callao-Lima, Peru

July 26, 1928

This card is issued for the Identification of the person whose name appears on the reverse side as the bearer of Non Quota Immigration Visa No. 20 Issued by this Consulate.

This Card is Not Transferable and will not be valid until duly signed by an Immigrant Inspector at a Port of Entry to the United States.

290321

/s/ Samuel Roberts, Consul of the U.S.A.

Note: After 1928, all immigrants admitted with a visa were issued an Immigrant Identification Card with a Photograph of the Immigrant such as you see in the above document from the Archives.

For Additional Information:

• U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Immigration, 30 June 1928. Beginning on 1 July, a so-called immigrant identification card will be issued.
• U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Immigration, 18 July 1928, General Order No. 110, Subject: "Immigrant" Identification Cards.

Information about Document

• Title: Immigrant Identification Card
• Issued By: U.S. Department of Labor / Department of State
• Dimensions: 12.6 x 7.5 cm

Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📸 1928 Immigrant ID Card (Front Side) – A Snapshot of Immigration Records

💡 Why It Matters:

🔹 The card is issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, which at the time was responsible for overseeing immigration enforcement and regulation.

🔹 Detailed personal information such as name, date of birth, nationality, and port of arrival makes it an essential genealogical resource.

🔹 The immigrant’s signature and the inspector’s endorsement highlight the importance of official verification for legal entry into the U.S.

📌 For genealogists, this document serves as a rare and valuable proof of entry into the United States.

📜 Reverse Side of the Immigrant ID Card – Official Endorsements & Restrictions

💡 Why It Matters:

🔹 The endorsement from the U.S. Consulate in Callao-Lima, Peru, confirms that this was an official visa document required for entry.

🔹 Consul Samuel Roberts’ signature authenticates the document, showing that immigrants had to be pre-approved before leaving their home country.

🔹 The note stating that the card is non-transferable and must be signed by an immigration inspector upon arrival underscores the strict regulations governing entry into the U.S.

📌 For historians, this document highlights how the U.S. consular system controlled immigration at its source rather than just at ports of entry.

🌍 Historical Context: U.S. Immigration Policies in 1928

During the early 20th century, the U.S. implemented stringent immigration laws aimed at restricting the number of immigrants from various regions while allowing exceptions for specific groups.

🔹 What is a Non-Quota Immigration Visa?

The 1924 Immigration Act imposed strict quotas on immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe but allowed exemptions for certain categories of immigrants.

Non-quota visas were typically issued to:

• Religious ministers
• University professors
• Refugees and political exiles
• Close family members of U.S. citizens

This document represents one of these rare cases, where Jose Mario Farban was admitted under a special exemption rather than a regular quota system.

🔹 Why Was the Department of Labor Involved?

🔹 Before the creation of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in 1933, immigration matters were handled by the Department of Labor.

🔹 The 1928 ID card issued by the Department of Labor reflects the federal government’s growing control over immigration enforcement.

📌 For researchers, this document showcases how the U.S. immigration system functioned before modern agencies like the INS or Homeland Security were established.

📖 A Personal Story: The Journey of Jose Mario Farban

🔹 Immigration from Peru to the United States

🔹 Jose Mario Farban, born in Lima, Peru, on February 13, 1903, arrived in New York on August 28, 1928.

🔹 The ship’s name is partially illegible, but the details confirm his journey was officially documented.

🔹 Official Processing & Inspection

🔹 Farban’s ID card was signed and approved by an immigration inspector, G.B. Travis, ensuring he met all requirements for entry.

🔹 His visa was pre-approved at the U.S. Consulate in Peru, demonstrating the importance of pre-screening for non-quota immigrants.

📌 For genealogists and historians, this ID card offers a rare glimpse into the journey of Latin American immigrants to the U.S. in the 1920s.

📜 Key Takeaways for Students & Researchers

📖 Why This Document is Important:

✔ Understanding early immigration policies

How did non-quota visas differ from general immigration?

✔ Examining bureaucratic processes

What role did the Department of Labor play in immigration enforcement?

✔ Studying Latin American migration

How did Peruvian immigrants navigate U.S. visa regulations?

✔ Exploring official records

How did immigrants prove their legal entry into the U.S.?

📌 For essay topics, consider:

🔹 "Non-Quota Immigration in the 1920s: Who Was Allowed Entry?"

🔹 "The Role of the U.S. Department of Labor in Immigration Regulation"

🔹 "Latin American Migration to the U.S.: Policies & Procedures in the 1920s"

⚡ Final Thoughts: A Unique Piece of Immigration History

This 1928 Immigrant Identification Card is an exceptional artifact that provides a rare window into U.S. immigration policies, Latin American migration, and federal enforcement practices of the time.

📌 It is a crucial resource that helps:

✅ Enhance genealogical research with official proof of entry

✅ Explore U.S. immigration policies before modern regulations

✅ Study the bureaucratic hurdles faced by early immigrants

✅ Provide personal connections to historical immigration records

🌎 Immigration history is not just about laws and policies—it’s about people, journeys, and the documentation that preserved their stories.

📚 For further research, students and historians can explore the GG Archives’ extensive collection of passenger lists, visas, and immigration records.

🔎 Looking for more immigration documents? Browse the GG Archives for rare primary sources that bring history to life!

🛂 Every document holds a story—what will you discover?