USCIS Redesigns Green Cards and EAD Cards

Introduction:

Earlier this year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a redesign of Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). These changes aim to enhance document security and protect against fraud and counterfeiting. In this blog post, we will explore the details of this update and provide examples of the old and new document designs.

A Colorful History:

While having a “Green Card” has regularly been used to refer to possessing U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident status, the card itself was not green when first issued in 1940.  Initially, it was not just issued to Lawful Permanent Residents but to all non-U.S. Citizens.  After its stark appearance on white paper stock, it first took on a green shade after WWII ended when the document began being issued only to permanent residents as the Alien Registration Receipt Card but unofficially termed the “Green Card.” ¹ It later transitioned to shades of pink, blue, and yellow before turning green again in 2010.  Various data points on the face of the card have also been added over time.  For example, newer green cards contain expiration dates on the face of the document, but some older cards still in circulation today do not reflect an expiration date, even though the card itself is valid.  Of course, the bearer of an LPR card with an expired date may still be a Lawful Permanent Resident even beyond the expiration date listed on a card.

USCIS Announcement and Redesigned Features:

A USCIS news release from January 30, 2023 explains that redesigned Green Cards (Form I-551) and EADs (Form I-765) feature advanced, tamper-resistant security technology. Key features of the new designs include:

1. Enhanced Artwork and Tactile Printing:
Detailed artwork on the cards has been improved, and tactile printing has been integrated more effectively with the artwork.

2. Optically Variable Ink and Holographic Images:
The new cards will feature enhanced optically variable ink and high-security holographic images on both the front and back.

3. Layer Reveal Feature:
A partial window on the back photo box will include a layer-reveal feature, adding an additional element of security.

4. Data Field Placement:
The placement of data fields on the new cards will be different from previous versions, contributing to improved security.

Validity of Current Cards and Transition:

It is important to note that the introduction of the new designs does not invalidate previously issued cards. Existing cards will remain valid until their expiration dates, unless otherwise specified through an automatic extension or a Federal Registered notice indicated on a Form I-797, Notice of Action.  In addition, USCIS will continue using the existing card stock until supplies are depleted, meaning that even some Green Cards and EADs issued after January 30th, 2023 may still display the previous design format and should not be viewed as being suspect if presented for authorization purposes.

Periodic Redesign for Enhanced Security:

The redesigning of Green Cards and EADs (as seen below in the examples) is part of USCIS’s Secure Identification Platform (SIP) Project. This periodic redesigning process, which occurs every three to five years, aims to mitigate the risk of fraud, counterfeiting, and document tampering.

Acceptability and Replacement:

Both the old and new versions of the cards will be acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, E-Verify, and Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE). However, USCIS encourages applicants with older Green Cards that lack an expiration date to consider applying for a replacement card to safeguard against potential fraud or tampering if the card is lost or stolen.

Reminder About Mistakes on Green Cards and EAD Documents:

Whenever change occurs, mistakes can often follow.  If you notice a discrepancy on the face of your green card or work authorization document, including incorrect birth date, spelling error, date of issuance error, etc., be sure to bring it to your immigration lawyer’s attention.  If the fault was due to USCIS oversight, Immigration will fix the card for you, but there may be time constraints involved, as well as different venues available to rectify the situation especially if you travel outside the U.S. frequently for work.

Conclusion:

The recent redesign of Green Cards and EADs by USCIS signifies an ongoing commitment to improving document security and combating fraud. While the new designs incorporate advanced features, it’s important to note that previously issued cards remain valid until their expiration dates and that USCIS will continue using existing card stock until supplies are exhausted, resulting in some cards still displaying the previous design. For those with older cards without expiration dates, it may be a good time to consider applying for a replacement card with better security integrations in case your old card is lost or stolen.

We hope this information has provided you with a better understanding of USCIS’s redesign of Green Cards and EADs. For more immigration news and helpful tips, make sure to stay connected. Feel free to share this blog post with others who may benefit from this important update.

Thank you for reading; stay tuned for our next post!

1. https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/our-history/history-office-and-library/featured-stories-from-the-uscis-history-office-and-library/the-colorful-history-of-the-green-card