Green Card

A Green Card is an identification card for a permanent resident of the United States of America who does not have US citizenship. It is proof that the holder has permission to permanently reside and take employment in the US. 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.

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. A card includes the holder's name and photograph, and other information, and has been updated over the years with numerous anti-counterfeiting devices. US Permanent Residents (18 years and older) are required to have their green card with them at all times, but they are, normally, never asked to present the card except when trying to claim some entitlement granted by their permanent resident status (ie. entry to the US, proof that they can accept employment, etc). One interesting aspect of American law is that permanent residents have identification cards, but citizens do not.

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

Green Card

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