Immigration officials have announced that they will be rolling out new security features on the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from January 30, 2023. The new designs aim to prevent counterfeiting, fraud, and document tampering, ensuring the continued integrity of secure documents issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Some of the new features of the redesigned cards include enhanced optically variable ink, highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards, and tactile printing that is better integrated with the artwork. In addition, data fields will be displayed in different places than on previous versions, and the new cards will feature a layer-reveal feature with a partial window on the back photo box.
The USCIS Document Management Division in the USCIS Office of Intake and Document Production has been redesigning the cards every three to five years to mitigate the risk of fraud and counterfeiting. Redesigning the cards is part of the Secure Identification Platform (SIP) Project, which began in 2019 with extensive market research. USCIS officials met with key industry leaders and stakeholders to learn industry best practices.
USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou commented, “This redesign further demonstrates USCIS’ commitment to taking a proactive approach against the threat of secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud. Consistent updates to secure documents ensure the continued integrity of secure documents issued by our agency.”
It’s worth noting that the introduction of the new designs does not invalidate currently issued cards, which remain valid until their expiration date. Some Green Cards and EADs issued after January 30, 2023, may still display the existing design format, as USCIS will continue using existing cardstock until current supplies are depleted.
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, applicants with older Green Cards without an expiration date are encouraged to consider applying for a replacement card to prevent fraud or tampering should the card ever get lost or stolen.
Overall, the redesign of the Green Card and EAD demonstrates USCIS’ commitment to customer service, national security, and combating fraud and tampering.