Alien Seaman

[Kathy Nicholson]

My grandfather was employed as a steward/waiter by Cunard White star for many years and made many trans-Atlantic voyages from both Liverpool and Southampton to New York. I have come across his credit card sized identity card dated February 1945 which was validated by the United States Coast Guard upon which he is described as an alien seaman.
Is anyone able to tell me what this card and description referred to please?

[Ivan Cloherty]

Kathy all seamen visiting USA have to have a shore pass to enable them to go ashore, all foreign seamen (and no doubt others) are classed as 'aliens', so basically all it is, is a shore pass allowing the holder to go ashore in the USA, it is issued after an interview. I got mine in the time of McCarthyism when anything remotely linked to communism made you an enemy of the USA, although never a communist because my name was IVAN (an old Russian name) I was subject to a two hour grilling because I may have been a danger to the State. I was 16 at the time and looked about 12, some threat!

[Kathy Nicholson]

Thank you Ivan for taking the trouble to enlighten me.
Sadly, my grandfather died long before I discovered that I had an interest in the wonderful liners that he sailed, on including the fabulous Queen Mary.
It would have been so nice to have chatted to him about his experiences at sea.

Kathy

[John Albert Evans]

Kathy,

Following on to what Ivan said they were called 'Aliens Registration Card'. This was in the 1950's when I first went there, without one there is no way you would be allowed ashore.

John

[Kathy Nicholson]

Thank you for this information John,it is most helpful.

Kathy

[j.sabourn]

Used to have to have them also for Buenos Aires and the Argentine, don't know if still have to or not, and if not when it was discontinued. Maybe since the Falklands war they are back in fashion. JS

[John Albert Evans]

Ive still got two of mine from visiting BA in the 1950'sThey contained your photo and thumbprint, Ill dig them out later and put them on here.

John

[Ivan Cloherty]

incidentally I've still got my USA 'Aliens Landing Card', never know it may come in useful if we're ever invaded by aliens!.............. 'Eh! hold up fella's, don't shoot, I'm one of you!!'

[Kathy Nicholson]

My grandfather's also had his photo in which he held a slate with a number on it and a thumbprint and was clearly a very official document as it was printed by the American Bank Note Company.

Kathy

[Ivan Cloherty]

My grandfather's also had his photo in which he held a slate with a number on it and a thumbprint and was clearly a very official document as it was printed by the American Bank Note Company.

Kathy

There's also a photo on mine Kathy, but I don't recognise him, looks far too young to be me!