Federal Government Announces Changes to its Green Cards

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Federal Government Announces Changes to its Green Cards

4/19/17

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a redesign to the Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) and the Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”) as part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project. USCIS will begin issuing the new cards on May 1, 2017.

The new Green Cards and EADs will:

Display the individual’s photos on both sides;
Show a unique graphic image and color palette (Green Cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a predominately green palette, and EAD cards will have an image of a bald eagle and a predominately red palette);
Have embedded holographic images; and
No longer display the individual’s signature.

Also, Green Cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

Some Green Cards and EADs issued after May 1, 2017, may still display the existing design format as USCIS will continue using existing card stock until current supplies are depleted. Both the existing and the new Green Cards and EADs will remain valid until the expiration date shown on the card.

Both versions are acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, E-Verify, and Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE). Some older Green Cards do not have an expiration date. These older Green Cards without an expiration date remain valid.

For additional information related to this topic and for advice regarding how to navigate U.S. immigration laws you may contact Layli Eskandari Deal of the law firm of Freeman, Mathis & Gary, LLP at (770-551-2700) or ldeal@fmglaw.com.

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