New centers handle Green Card renewals

NEWARK, N.J. - In an effort to maximize customer service, effective June 20, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is providing Permanent Resident Alien Registration (Green Card) renewal applicants in the Newark District the convenience of one-stop, walk-in service at the Newark Application Support Center (ASC), located at 24 Commerce St. in Newark, and the Hackensack ASC, located at 127 Main St. in Hackensack, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. However, the office may close early due to high volume.

These new procedures apply only to renewal applicants with expiring or expired 10-year Green Cards. Applicants filing for a new Green Card must apply at their local INS District or Sub-Office - not at an ASC.

To renew their Green Cards, applicants should call the INS National Customer Service Center toll-free telephone line, 1-800-375-5283, to obtain a Form I-90, "Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card," and application information. (The application form is also available on the INS website at www.ins.usdoi.gov or by calling the INS's toll-free forms request line 1-800-870-3676.)

When they come to the Newark or Hackensack ASC, renewal applicants must bring with them:

• a completed Form I-90 and a check or money order for the $110 application fee;
  
  
• their expiring/expired Green Card;
  
  
• photocopies of both the front and back of the card;
  
  
• two color photographs, as specified on the Form I-90 instructions;
  
  
• personal identification (e.g., driver's license, state-issued identification card or passport);
  
  
• renewal applicants whose name has legally changed must bring documentation of the change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order);
  
  
• renewal applicants who received their Green Card before their 14th birthday and are now over 14 must be fingerprinted; they must bring a check or money order for the additional $25 fingerprinting fee.

The INS will review each application package for completeness and accuracy. If all is in order, the INS will attach a sticker to the applicant's expiring/expired Green Card to extend the validity of the card, and return it to the applicant to use as temporary proof of status. The attached sticker will have two hole-punches through the appropriate month and year, indicating how long this temporary proof of status will be valid. Approved renewal applicants will receive their new 10-year Green Cards in the mail.

The INS reminds lawful permanent residents who were issued a "Green Card" (Form 1551, Alien Registration Card) with an expiration date approximately 10 years ago that their cards will be expiring in the near future and they will need to renew them. Green Card holders can apply up to six months prior to the expiration date of the card (indicated on the front of the card). However, there is no need for applicants to rush to apply for a new card too far in advance since they will be issued temporary proof of their status when they apply in person for their new Green Card.

Lawful permanent residents with an expiring Green Card will not lose their legal status in the United States; their lawful permanent resident status will not expire or change. However, they will need to renew their expiring Green Cards in order to maintain acceptable evidence of their permanent resident status and avoid possible difficulties in obtaining employment, benefits and re-entry into the United States after traveling abroad.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 2, 2000, No. 27, Vol. LXVIII

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