During the inspection process for people trying to enter the United States, the inspectors looked for anything that would enable those people from entering. The main two reasons were because of diseases, infectious or not, and the likelihood of those persons becoming an LPC (Likely Public Charge). Through research at the National Archives, it was quickly learned how the two went hand in hand when deciding the fate of immigrants.
In the case of Guadalupe Garcia and her children, who tried to enter in July of 1919, inspectors concluded that Guadalupe had thyroid cancer.[1] The family was coming to join the father, who was already a US citizen, had a stable job, and had a home to provide for the entire family, along with words from people who vouched on his behalf. But, due to her having thyroid cancer, she and her children were labeled LPC since cancer wouldn’t allow her to work and they would end up becoming solely dependent on the husband.
Another case is that of Paula Gutierrez and her granddaughter, Tomasa.[2] Paula had already been a US citizen along with her husband, who owned a farm in southern Texas, for 10 years. She left for Mexico for 13 days to get her granddaughter who recently became an orphan. While trying to re-enter the US on July 19, 1919 through Laredo, doctors examined them both and came to the conclusion that Paula had ringworm of the nails (fig. 1) and Tomasa had ringworm of the scalp (fig. 2). Noted in their medical certificates, doctor J.D. Stephens put on both that ringworm was considered “difficult to affect a cure.” Inspectors told them to reapply for entry after a year, even though Paula was already a US citizen. The information about their reentry after that year has not been found, nor is the information on what could have happened to the two during that year in Mexico.
File 54,671-050
File 54,671-050
One other case that was found was that of Clemencia Arreola. [3] During questioning, inspectors first found out she had lied about her age. She told inspectors she was fifty-one, but in reality, she was forty. Why she lied is unknown, but it might have been a way to better her chances into the United States. She was entering the country to join her son who lived in the United States with his wife, a brother, and two sisters, who were all classified as dependent on him. Her son’s job made him only $2 a day. Clemencia had a daughter who still lived in Mexico that she could easily stay with if she was not allowed to enter the country. She ended up becoming excluded from the United States for being illiterate and due to the chances of her becoming an LPC.
[1] File 54,671-005, accession E9, Subject Correspondence, 1906-1932, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, RG 85 (National Archives, Washington, DC)
[2] File 54,671-050, accession E9, Subject Correspondence, 1906-1932, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, RG 85 (National Archives, Washington, DC)
[3] File 54,671-012, accession E9, Subject Correspondence, 1906-1932, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, RG 85 (National Archives, Washington, DC)