USCIS Historical Reference Library

The I&N Historical Reference Library collection focuses primarily on the history of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and its predecessor agencies (INS, Bureau of Naturalization, etc.), then on the history of immigration to the United States and the history of the Federal Government generally. The textual collection, which is referenced by an automated catalog, consists partly of books, periodicals, and other published sources, and partly of agency publications and unpublished reports, studies, papers, and other documents dating from the turn of the century to the present. In addition, the library has a collection of photographs and videotapes that can be made available to you upon request. 

Among the library’s frequent patrons are scholars, students, journalists, attorneys, and many others with an interest in the history of immigration and nationality law, policy, and agency programs. The USCIS Historical Reference Library is located at 111 Massachusetts Avenue NW, First Floor (Room 1000), Washington DC 20529-2180. The Library is open to non-USCIS researchers by appointment only. To contact us about a research appointment or or if we may assist you in any other way, please write to us at  CISHistory.Library@dhs.gov.

To search our catalog, click the link at top right.  To learn more about the library collection, reference services, contact information, and online catalog please open or download the brochures below.