U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that it will begin issuing newly redesigned U.S. Permanent Resident Cards as of May 11, 2010. Taking a cue from the document’s nickname, the new cards are tinted green, and will incorporate a host of new security measures intended to prevent fraud while making authentic documents easy to identify and trace.
The new Permanent Resident Card – or “Green Card” – is the result of a collaborative effort by USCIS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Screening Coordination Office aimed at reducing immigration fraud. The now aptly named and redesigned Green Card is intended to prevent counterfeiting, obstruct tampering and facilitate quick and accurate authentication of the card holder’s right to live and work in the United States.
As the name suggests, the new Green Cards are, literally, green, making them easy for agents of all immigration, law enforcement and customs agencies to identify at a glance. Each card will also include a unique background design, as well as holographic infogram stamp and laser engraving of the card holder’s index fingerprint.
Artwork incorporated into each card will feature difficult to reproduce fine-line drawings, with some portions printed using color-shift inks. The photo, previously found only on the front of the card, will now also be printed on the back under a tamper-resistance shield. A sample image of the new card is available at www.uscis.gov.
In addition to the updates in the card’s appearance, USCIS has implemented several new, state-of-the art security measures. These less visible changes are intended to make valid documents easier for enforcement officers to verify and the cards more difficult to reproduce or alter.
Ultraviolet technology and tactile clues will assist CBP officials in identifying authentic cards, and a unique serial number allows officials to efficiently collect and review an individual’s information using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Tamper-resistant materials mean the new cards will show evidence of alteration immediately, and more detailed photographs make card sharing or exchange difficult.
USCIS plans to gradually phase out the old Permanent Resident Cards as individuals renew their documents. Most existing Permanent Resident Cards carry an expiration date (10 year validity period for permanent residents; 2 years for conditional permanent residents), and those cards remain valid through the expiration date printed in the lower right corner of the card. Holders of these cards will receive the redesigned Green Card when seeking a card renewal or replacement. Other existing Permanent Resident Cards have no expiration date, and, likewise, those cards remain valid. However, USCIS recommends that holders of cards without an expiration date apply to replace their cards with the redesigned version.
Additional information about the redesigned Green Card is available at www.uscis.gov. If you have any questions regarding the new Green Card please contact your designated Gibney representative or email immigrationalerts@gibney.com.
Please click here to receive client alerts by email.
This immigration article is provided as general information for clients and friends of Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP. It does not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal advice. The contents of this article may be considered attorney advertising in some states.