The USCIS History Office and Library program preserves and promotes understanding of the history of USCIS and its predecessor agencies and programs.

• Historical Reference Office staff research, write, and distribute histories, and provide authoritative historical information to USCIS, other government agencies, and public researchers.
• The History Reference Library acquires, organizes, and provides access to library resources supporting the history of USCIS, its predecessor agencies, and US Immigration and Nationality law; and provides professional library services to both government and public researchers.

The History Office and Library offers a variety of services to public researchers.

• The library is open to the public by appointment only. No materials are lent to public patrons, but a copy machine is available.
• Historical Reference Library staff can answer researcher questions by letter, telephone, or email.
• Images from the History Office and Library photo collection are made available to authors and publishers.
• Historians will consult with researchers regarding research problems, records availability, and access procedures.

As a DHS and federal library, the Historical Reference Library is available to DHS and other federal staff who need information to perform their official duties. Among the services offered by the History Office and Library are:

• Reference assistance to identify and locate materials. Reference questions can be submitted via the DHS “Ask a Librarian” service or directly by calling the library.
• Research help to duplicate, mail, or fax information to federal requesters.
• Inter-Library Loan to share library materials via another DHS library.
• Library access and limited borrowing privileges.

For help with research questions, e-mail our reference library staff at cishistory.library@uscis.dhs.gov.