Since March 20, 1996, I-151 Alien Registration Receipt Cards (“Green Cards”) issued before 1979 are no longer valid. Holders of these cards must apply in person for the new I-551 Green Card. The new cards contain the holder’s picture, fingerprint and signature and have ten year expiration dates. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (the “INS”) has instituted the program in order to “progressively improve card features and make the cards increasingly more difficult to counterfeit.”
The INS has stated that person who have not applied for the new green card yet will not be considered to have lost their permanent resident and will not be penalized, though persons who do not have the new card may face difficulties in obtaining employment, entitlement benefits and reentry into the US from abroad. If you attempt to reenter the US with the old I-151 card, you will be allowed to enter, but you will face delays since you will be subject to additional procedures. Employers will not be allowed to accept Form I-151 Green Cards as proof of employment authorization. Persons applying for entitlement benefits may experience delays if they do not possess the new cards.
If you need to replace your green card, you will submit Form I-90 along with to your local INS office. You will be given a stamp in your passport as temporary proof of permanent residency or, if you do not have a valid, unexpired passport, you will be granted a temporary Form I-551 as proof of permanent residency. A new card will be sent to you within three to ten months. Persons eligible for citizenship do not need apply for a replacement green card if they instead apply for naturalization.
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