On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced its intention to issue a new kind of green card for legal immigrants. It will be extra resistance to fraud and offer a new level of security. The new cards will start to be issued on 1 May, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and will have fraud-resistant security features as well as enhanced graphics.
In a statement, USCIS said that issuing the new form of the green card is a demonstration of the agency’s desire to be proactive against the problem of fraud and document tampering. It is part of a continuing effort, in collaboration with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection, to deter fraud and counterfeiting, and to enhance the security of official documents.
USCIS says the new green cards will feature a picture of the individual in question on both sides, as well as a picture of the Statue of Liberty. Images of the person, together with that of a bald eagle, will also be included with Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). Holographic images will feature in both documents but there will no longer be a copy of the person’s signature, making it more difficult for forgers and identity thieves.
EAD papers and older green cards will continue to be valid until they reach their expiry date, after which holders will be sent the new, redesigned versions.