绿卡换新装  USCIS建议绿卡持有者更换新卡

来源：星岛日报

美国永久居民身分证终于成了名副其实的「绿」卡。联邦公民与移民局（USCIS）11日宣布，为遏止移民欺诈，局方重新设计制造了一款带有多种新型防伪功能的永久居民身分证（绿卡）。新技术能防止伪造和篡改，以及进行快速和准确的防伪鉴定。为了方便移民官识别，新卡设计成绿色。移民局将从即日起开始发放新款绿卡。USCIS局长马约卡斯表示：「重新设计绿卡是移民局一项重大成绩，新的防伪技术促进移民系统的完整性」，更好地服务执法机构、户主和移民，因为绿卡被视为在美合法生活和工作的权威证件。

数十年以来，绿卡换过各种各样的颜色，有粉色、褐色、蓝色、白色等等，但直到这回才与它的常用称呼相匹配，正式改成绿色。

新型防伪绿卡的优点包括：安全光学媒体存储的持卡人生物特征可迅速可靠地鉴定身分；全息图像、激光刻印指纹和高分辨率微型图像，令复制绿卡几乎是不可能的事；紧凑的设计加上持卡人个性化元素，令绿卡即使被盗也很难篡改内容；无线电频率鉴定（RFID）能力可使驻守在边境关卡的海关和边防官员远程读卡，立即与数据库档案相比对；新型绿卡还有一个预先印好的退还地址，一旦丢失能很容易地将绿卡寄回移民局。

从即日起，绿卡申请人，以及个人在更新或更换绿卡时都会领到新卡。目前更换新卡的费用是370元。合法永久居民申请更换新卡可提交I-90表格，该表格和填写指南可上网下载。如果在美国境外，合法永久居民在提交表格之前，应该先联系最近的美国大使馆、移民局办公室或美国边境检查站。

此外，现有旧卡仍然有效。上面标有有效期的旧卡，在过期之前仍然有效；无有效期的旧卡也有效，但USCIS建议这些绿卡持有者更换新卡。

source: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=79bd3893c4888210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

WASHINGTON - 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.  The Green Card redesign is the latest advance in USCIS¿s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud.  State-of-the-art technology incorporated into the new card prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication.  Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.

"Redesigning the Green Card is a major achievement for USCIS," said Director Alejandro Mayorkas.  "The new security technology makes a critical contribution to the integrity of the immigration system."

The enhanced features will better serve law enforcement, employers, and immigrants, all of whom look to the Green Card as definitive proof of authorization to live and work in the United States.  Among the benefits of the redesign:  Secure optical media will store biometrics for rapid and reliable identification of the card holder.  Holographic images, laser engraved fingerprints, and high resolution micro-images will make the card nearly impossible to reproduce.  Tighter integration of the card design with personalized elements will make it difficult to alter the card if stolen.  Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) capability will allow Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry to read the card from a distance and compare it immediately to file data.  Finally, a preprinted return address will enable the easy return of a lost card to USCIS.

In keeping with the Permanent Resident Card's nickname, it will now be colored green for easy recognition.  USCIS will replace Green Cards already in circulation as individuals apply for renewal or replacement.

For more information on permanent residency and other immigration benefits, visit www.uscis.gov, or call USCIS¿s National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

Last updated:05/11/2010