United States Permanent Resident Card

A United States Permanent Resident Card, also known popularly as Green Card, is an identification card for a permanent resident of the United States of America who does not have U.S. citizenship. It is proof that the holder has permission to permanently reside and take employment in the U.S. Its "former" official title was Alien Registration Receipt Card, and it is now officially called a Permanent Resident Card, also referred to as form I-551.

Related Topics:
Identification card - Permanent resident - United States of America - Citizenship

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The name "green card" comes from the fact that the cards were originally green. Their color has changed over the years, but the term "green card" has remained in use. As of 2004, they are mostly white with a green grass pattern in the card's background. A card includes the holder's name and photograph, and other information, and has been updated over the years with numerous anti-counterfeiting devices. The card must be in the possession of the U.S. permanent resident at all times. This means the U.S. permanent resident must have a currently valid card on their person at all times, to show to an USCIS officer, if requested. One interesting aspect of American law is that permanent residents have identification cards, but citizens do not.

Related Topics:
2004 - Anti-counterfeiting - Permanent resident - Law - Citizen

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Green cards were formerly issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). That agency's functions have been shifted to the new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formerly the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security.

Related Topics:
Immigration and Naturalization Service - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services - Department of Homeland Security

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