U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Permanent Resident Green Card Authenticity Guide

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Fact Sheet: USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card

2 pages
May 11, 2010

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card—commonly known as the “Green Card”—to incorporate several major new security features. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.

Redesign results from extensive collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Screening Coordination Office, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Forensic Document Laboratory, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Special ink creates color shifts in visual designs (e.g., eagle’s head).

Fine-lined artwork and complex architecture incorporate patterns that are nearly impossible to reproduce.

Card materials resist tampering. Attempted tampering becomes immediately visible to the naked eye.

Standard card design and personalized features are integrated to deter fraud attempts, e.g., alteration of the photograph.

Greater detail in photograph makes for easier identification of the bearer.

Ultra-violet technology and tactile clues allow accurate card authentication at border crossings.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) allows inspectors to read unique, 192-bit serial number (192-bits) from a distance and link the information to the personal data on file.

Personalized return address on back of card doubles as security feature and as customerservice enhancement to facilitate easy return of lost cards to USCIS.

In keeping with its nickname, redesigned Permanent Resident Card is now green.