Decrees

April 2 1917 – April 21 1917

Decree of April 2, 1917 “ is creating" an identity card for foreigners

During the First World War is an identity card is established for foreigners. Provided by a circular of June 1916, formalized by a decree of April 2 1917, it is inspired by police considerations. This card, issued by the prefect, and that be owned by any foreigner who are over 15 years old, expected to stay for more than fifteen days in France, must be stamped at each change of residence, so as to control the presence and movement of foreigners on the territory. The decree of April 21, 1917 clarifies, with regard to workers, that the identity card is issued upon presentation of an employment contract stamped by employment agencies.

For the first time, a decree differentiates among foreign workers and others. The newcomers employed in agriculture are differentiated from those recruited in the industry with a card mentioning "foreign worker" that is different (first because of its color, then by a special stamp on this card).
The reform has three objectives:
-ensure the identity of all foreigners and not only foreigners "considered as nomads”, the only ones who are forced to hold an anthropometric identity book.
- Control their movements.
- Allow the central service newly created in the Home Office to count them taking into account the entries, exits and death.

The First World War was a period of suspicion towards foreigners. As soon as 1912, in the Territory of Belfort, for example, the nationals of countries potentially belligerent (Italians and Germans) as well as Swiss and Alsatians are more closely watched on and recorded. In 1915, an Act makes possible the deprivation of nationality for those who have been naturalized recently but have reportedly tried to harm the interests of France. This deprivation can be applied not only to an individual but also to his entire family. A new step in the control and supervision is was passed April 2, 1917 with the creation of a compulsory identity card for all foreigners. This document must be established at the police headquarters after completing a questionnaire a copy of which is sent to the foreign central service of the Ministry of the Interior (Home Office), newly created service. It is necessary to have a medical examination. The card must be stamped by the mayor or the police station of the city where the newcomer settles at every change of residence and the photograph must be renewed every three years. This text is supplemented by the Decree of 21 April establishing the specific identity card for foreign workers. This card is of a different color according to the post of the worker : industry or agriculture, then in the 1930s, also crafts and trade.
Identity cards of foreign workers can be viewed on the website “here and elsewhere” “ici et ailleurs” - a history of immigration in the territory of Belfort”

Decree of April 2, 1917: OJ of April 7, 1917, p.2726
Decree of April 21, 1917, OJ du22 April 1917, p.3186 - 3187

Frédéric Rousselle / Marika Kovacs

CNFETP

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