In the last year of WWI, it was declared that all German aliens be registered. Here is a snippet of what I discovered in a newspaper from 1918.
Police Prepare for Registering of All Germans
In anticipation of early orders directing how the task is to be accomplished, Assistant Superintendent of Police Charles H. Suckley is today organizing his forces to prepare for the registration of alien enemies in this city, in accordance with the regulations promulgated in President Wilson’s proclamation of November 16th.
Every German alien, whether man, woman, or child, will have to register under this new law, and it is believed that the arrangement will become effective very soon. Cards are being printed by the government for the purpose, and will shortly be in the hands of the local police.
At present, the only Germans registered are those of draft age and those who have permits to go in and out of restricted areas. A list of the known alien enemies living here has been forwarded to Washington.
The Attorney General is to designate the day when the registration is to take place.
[Source: The Bridgeport Times (Bridgeport, Connecticut newspaper). January 01, 1918]
