From the editorial
The El Paso Journal
Monday, January 30, 2023 | 18:17
Washington.- The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced new designs to improve the security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). USCIS will begin issuing the redesigned cards on January 30, 2023.
The new Green Card and EAD designs contain state-of-the-art technology that continues to safeguard national security and improve service for our customers. Changes include improved detailed illustrations; tactile printing that integrates better with the artwork; enhanced optically variable ink; high-security holographic images on the front and back of the cards; a layer reveal feature with a partial window in the back photo box; and data fields displayed in different places than in previous versions.
“This redesign further demonstrates USCIS’s commitment to taking a proactive approach against the threat of secure document tampering, forgery, and fraud,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Constant updates to secure documents, informed by our knowledge of the latest bad actor methods and the innovation and ingenuity of our staff, ensure the continued integrity of our agency-issued secure documents.”
The introduction of the new designs does not mean that currently issued cards are no longer valid. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date (unless otherwise indicated, such as through an automatic extension of a Green Card or EAD as indicated on a Form I-797, Notice of Action, or in a notice of the Federal Register).
Some green cards and EADs issued after January 30, 2023 may still display the existing design format because USCIS will continue to use existing cardstock until current supplies run out. Both versions of the cards are acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification; electronic verification; and Systematic Verification of Aliens for Rights (SAVE). Some older green cards do not have an expiration date. These older green cards with no expiration date are generally still valid; however, USCIS encourages applicants with these old cards to consider applying for a replacement card to prevent fraud or tampering if the card is lost or stolen.
USCIS launched the current cards in May 2017. To mitigate the risk of fraud and forgery, the USCIS Document Management Division of the Office of Intake and Document Production redesigns the cards every three to five years. The redesign of the cards is part of the Secure Identification Platform (SIP) Project. The SIP Project started in 2019 with extensive market research.
The USCIS Document Management Division met with key industry leaders and stakeholders to learn about industry best practices.
Information on how to avoid and report fraud is available on the USCIS Scams, Fraud and Misconduct page.
