Updates in Permanent Resident Card Technology Causes Delays

June 6, 2009

Applicants for Legal Permanent Residence may experience delays of up to eight weeks in the production of their “Green Cards”.  To compensate for delays the Field Offices will be issuing temporary proof of permanent residence with I-551 stamps in passports.  This stamp, in conjunction with a valid social security number, will allow new LPRs to work without an EAD.  To ensure that you receive an I-551 stamp you must bring a valid passport to your interview or a passport photo and government issued ID (i.e. a driver’s license or state ID containing your photo.)

For LPR status approved after your interview or by a Service Center or the National Benefit Center, you should bring the above documents to an INFOPASS appointment to be issued temporary evidence of permanent residence in the form of an I-551 stamp.  Basically, if you are filing for the removal of conditions or a replacement card and you current card is expired, then you should make an infopass appointment and bring your passport to the appointment along with your approval notice in order to get the temporary stamp.

One Small Step for USCIS One Huge Leap for Genealogy Researchers

This week USCIS announced that in a joint venture with the National Archives and Records Administration Alien registration numbers would now be considered a permanent file.  With this determination came a formal schedule to begin the transfer of alien registration files (A-files) for permanent retention at the National Archives.  The archival processing of approximately 135,000 files could be completed by next summer and available for genealogy researchers. Files are eligible for transfer 100 years after the date of birth of the file holder to ensure privacy of the information in the file. Previously, files could be dumped from the National Archives after 75 years.  Future file transfers will take place each five years.

“Immigration is one of the most significant aspects of the American experience,” said Smith.  The information contained in the A-file is unique.  No other type of case file contains the same level of comprehensive personal data…especially concerning the alien’s interaction with USCIS and the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, and their request for resident status and/or citizenship.  This ensures that the records contained within the A-File will be retained forever in our National Archives – preserving a rich and important part of America’s immigration history.”

“These A-files are a key to unlocking the fascinating stories of millions of people who traveled to the United States in search of opportunity,” added Thomas.  “The National Archives is delighted that it will be able to safeguard the unique and important stories of brave men and women who left their homelands in search of a better life.”

Most of the A-files will be housed at the National Archives in Kansas City and in San Francisco.  The files will be available through the mail or in the research rooms at the two facilities. 

One of the most significant aspects of this file retention and transfer is that access to the information contained in the A-files will give researchers access to marriage certificates, birth certificates, photos, and basic background information on immigrants.  For instance, A-files will likely contain information on parents, children, and the spouse of a person being researched along with information such as addresses that could allow a researcher to find additional historical information.