The Origins of the Term Green Card

The United States is known as the land of opportunity, with immigrants from all over the world flocking there seeking a better future. However, it is not an easy process to enter the country. One must obtain a visa to enter the country, and then go through the lawful permanent residency process, commonly known as the green card process. The process is highly regulated and can take years to complete. But how did the term “”green card”” come to be? In this article, we will explore the origins of the term “”green card”” and how it has become synonymous with the lawful permanent residency process.

The First Green Cards

The concept of a green card dates back to the 1940s, when the Alien Registration Act of 1940 required all non-citizen adults in the United States to register with the government and obtain an Alien Registration Receipt Card, colloquially known as an “”alien registration card””. The card was white and contained important information such as name, date of birth, and fingerprints.

In 1944, the Alien Registration Act was replaced by the Internal Security Act, which required all aliens to carry their registration cards at all times. These cards were changed to a pale blue color.

The Birth of the Green Card

In the 1950s, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) began issuing ID cards to non-citizen residents. These cards were green and were used to identify non-citizens who were authorized to live and work in the United States. The green card’s purpose was to limit fraud and address undocumented immigration.

The green card was issued only to permanent residents who had completed the lawful permanent residency process, and they were required to carry it with them at all times. The green card was initially called an Alien Registration Receipt Card or Form I-151. It was later changed to Permanent Resident Card, but the term “”green card”” is still popularly used today.

The green card has undergone various design changes over the years. However, the most significant change came in 2010 when the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the design to include additional security features such as a hologram and laser engraved fingerprints.

The Perception of the Green Card

Green cards have become synonymous with the lawful permanent residency process in the United States. However, the term “”green card”” has also developed a separate meaning and cultural perception. For many non-citizens, the green card represents an opportunity for a better life and a path to achieving the “”American Dream””. The green card has even been the subject of popular culture, appearing in Hollywood movies and TV shows.

However, the perception of the green card has also been influenced by political factors. Politicians have used the term as a hot-button issue to garner support for their immigration policies and to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment. As a result, the green card has taken on a polarizing aspect in American political discourse.

The Green Card Application Process

The process of obtaining a green card has changed over the years, and the requirements for lawful permanent residency have become more stringent. The green card process is designed to ensure that only individuals with a lawful basis to remain in the U.S. are allowed to do so.

Today, there are several ways to obtain a green card, including through family or employment sponsorship or through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. The process can take anywhere from several months to several years. Applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria, including passing a background check and medical examination.

In 2019, there were approximately 13.9 million Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) living in the United States, with around 1 million individuals receiving green cards annually.

Green Card Scams

The green card process can be daunting for many, and as a result, cases of green card scams have become all too common. Scammers prey on unsuspecting individuals seeking to obtain a green card by taking advantage of their lack of knowledge about the process and charging them exorbitant fees for their services. Some individuals have even been known to use false information on their green card applications, which can result in serious consequences, including deportation.

To prevent green card scams, the U.S. government has taken steps to educate non-citizens on the lawful permanent residency process and how to avoid scams. The USCIS website provides comprehensive information on how to obtain a green card and avoid fraudulent schemes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the term “”green card”” has become ingrained in American culture and represents the lawful permanent residency process in the United States. Its origins date back to the 1950s, and it has undergone various design changes over the years. Today, there are around 13.9 million LPRs residing in the United States, and the process of obtaining a green card has become more stringent.

While the green card represents an opportunity for a better future for many, it has also been used as a political tool to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment. To prevent green card scams, USCIS has taken steps to educate non-citizens about the lawful permanent residency process to avoid fraudulent schemes.

The green card process is complex and can be challenging, but with determination and perseverance, many individuals have successfully completed the process and achieved the American dream. The green card has come to symbolize not only the opportunity for a better life but also the determination and resilience of those who seek a better future in the land of opportunity.

The United States Permanent Resident Card is the official designation for the documentation that a person holds when they are a certified lawful permanent resident of the United States of America. This permanent residency card is known by many different names, including what may be the most popular even though it is not the most technical, the green card.

Those who can claim ownership of the modern green card may not be aware of the genesis of this nickname and other alternative ways to refer to the United States Permanent Resident Card. After all, the permanent residency card that most people earn for their hard work these days is not literally green. Is the green card simply a misnomer or some sort of inside joke, or does this reference to an important part of an immigrant’s documentation actually have some basis in historical authenticity? In other words, was there ever such a thing as a green “green card

The Permanent Resident Card acquisition process manifested itself in the United States as a result of the Alien Registration Act of 1940Today, however, the United States Permanent Resident Card has returned to a off-white or a shade of white.

Whereas previous instances of the permanent residency card, especially when living up to their color of their familiar namesake, may have only contained a photo of the holder and some general identification information, today’s “green card” not only contains a photo of the holder, but also watermarks and other security measures, as well as fingerprint information for the permanent resident as registered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.