USCIS to issue redesigned green cards and EADs

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 19 that Permanent Resident Cards (green cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) would be redesigned as part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project.

USCIS will begin issuing the new cards on May 1, 2017. The redesigns use enhanced graphics and fraud-resistant security features to create what USCIS hopes will be more secure and tamper-resistant cards.

The new green cards and EADs will have several features, including:

• The individual’s photo displayed on both sides of the card;
• Green cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a predominantly green color palette;
• EADs will have an image of a bald eagle and a predominantly red palette;
• Embedded holographic images;
• No longer including the individual’s signature; and
• Green cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

USCIS notes that some green cards and EADs issued after May 1, 2017 may still display the current design format until USCIS exhausts its current stocks of cards.