Green Cards Officially Green Again and Apparently Better Than Ever, Feds Say

The Department of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is changing the U.S. permanent-resident card, a.k.a. the "Green Card." Not only will it actually be green again, but it's got new security features to deter things like immigration fraud (which, if you hadn't noticed) is a hot-button issue these days.The original permanent-resident...

By James King

May 11, 2010

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The Department of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is changing the U.S. permanent-resident card, a.k.a. the "Green Card." Not only will it actually be green again, but it's got new security features to deter things like immigration fraud (which, if you hadn't noticed) is a hot-button issue these days.

The original permanent-resident card was green, but over the years, the card has been many colors, including white, beige, and pink.

Check out all the new bells-and-whistles, which the CIS announced today, after the jump.

--Secure optical media to store biometrics for rapid and reliable identification of the card-holder.

--Holographic images, laser-engraved fingerprints, and high-resolution micro-images to make the card nearly impossible to reproduce.

--Tighter integration of the card design with personalized elements to make it harder to alter the card if it's stolen.

--Radio-frequency-Identification capability so scary Customs and Border Protection officers can read the card from a distance and compare it immediately to file data.

--A preprinted return address to enable the easy return of a lost card.

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