From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: INS Launches Campaign To Replace Old "Green cards"
Organization: echo Beach
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 00:19:58 GMT

Press release from Immigration and Naturalization Service

 INS Launches Campaign To Replace Old "Green Cards" 
 To:  National Desk 
 Contact: Verne Jervis or Duke Austin, 202-514-2648, both of 
          the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
 
   WASHINGTON, July 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Beginning in August, 
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will require 
permanent resident aliens in the United States who carry a "green 
card" issued before 1978 to obtain new cards by July 31, 1993. 
   The old cards known officially as the I-151, Alien Registration 
Receipt Card, will expire on that date because the INS is replacing 
them with newer, more sophisticated cards (I-151s) that may be read 
by machine, contain more identifying information, and are more 
resistant to counterfeiting.  The new card will contain the 
photograph, fingerprint, and signature of the person to whom it is 
issued.  The cards are proof of permanent resident immigration 
status. 
   In announcing the replacement program, INS Commissioner Gene 
McNary said, "The new card has modern security features that 
provide positive identification and will be an important step 
toward eliminating discrimination that may result from employers' 
fears of hiring an alien if they are unsure of the document 
presented." 
   An application form for the new card may be obtained by calling 
a toll-free number (1-800-755-0777).  When the form is completed 
and two photographs are obtained they must be brought to the INS 
office serving the area where the applicant resides.  There is an 
application fee of $70.  Resident aliens who have been traveling 
abroad may also file a completed application at a U.S. port of 
entry upon their return. 
   The Replacement Project, named "Operation Green Card," was 
developed to meet several objectives: 
   -- First, the President's Border Security Group has recommended 
installation of automated inspection systems at U.S. ports of 
entry.  Such systems require machine readable documents. 
   -- Second, INS is committed to reducing document fraud by 
eliminating forms that are easily counterfeited.  The old cards 
lack the fingerprints and the machine-readable data elements that 
are included on the new ones.  More sophisticated laminates and 
printing methods also make the new cards more difficult to copy. 
   -- Also, various outside organizations, most notably the General 
Accounting Office (GAO), have urged INS to update and standardize 
the documents it issues in order to reduce confusion among 
employers and others over what constitutes valid proof of immigrant 
status. 
   The new card will also be beneficial to the resident alien. 
Bearers will have a more definitive and up-to-date means of 
identification that will be more readily accepted by employers to 
verify the bearer's work eligibility.  Also, it can be examined 
more quickly by immigration officers, so it will save the bearer 
time when seeking services from INS. 
   In order to maximize the benefit to the cardholders, INS has 
planned the project as a way to improve its automated systems and 
information resources to provide better service to this group of 
permanent residents when they file for future benefits. 
 -30- 

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