Why a green card does not mean permanent residency

Print Article - US: 750,000 immigrants asked to replace green card

US: 750,000 immigrants asked to replace green cards PTI | August 23, 2007 | 22:06 IST Seema Hakhu Kachru in Houston Nearly one million legal residents in the United States whose green cards do not have expiration dates may soon have to pay $370 to replace them, or face imprisonment. Green cards are proof of authorisation to live and work in the US. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on Wednesday announced a proposal that requires nearly 750,000 legal permanent residents who were issued green cards between 1977 and 1989 that lack expiration dates to replace their cards. The plan does not require Congressional approval. The proposed change, once finalised, gives applicants 120 days to update their cards. Those who willfully neglect to comply could face up to 30 days in jail or fine up to $100, or both. "The change will allow the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to issue more secure permanent resident cards, update cardholder information, conduct background checks and electronically store applicants' fingerprint and photographic information," according to the agency's statement. Although the change would not invalidate the legal status of cardholders, the proposal notes that failure to obtain replacement cards could cause problems when traveling or looking for work. The proposal states that affected permanent residents must apply between October 22 and February 19. Previously, immigration authorities had encouraged permanent residents with old-style green cards issued before 1989 to renew them -- but replacement was not mandatory. All green cards issued after 1989 expire every 10 years. The announcement is the latest in a series of measures outlined by the Department of Homeland Security to tighten immigration controls within existing laws and regulations. Two weeks ago, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced plans for tougher enforcement, including fines and stiffer requirements for employers who knowingly hire or retain undocumented foreign workers. The new proposal requires applicants to provide current biographic and biometric (photographs and fingerprint) information. The rule also proposes a mechanism for terminating green cards without an expiration date. Under the rule, USCIS would be able to terminate permanent resident cards without an expiration date via notice in the Federal Register.