What is an Alien Registration Card?

Legal Definition of Alien Registration Card: United States permanent residents have an identification card known as the “Alien Registration Card”. Other names for the Alien Registration Card include the immigrant visa, permanent visa, permanent resident card, permanent resident visa, form I-551 or form I-551. While permanent residents are not United States citizens, they are granted permission to reside and work in the United States on a permanent basis. Permanent residents in the United States are legally in the country, but they are still considered aliens. Unlike United States citizens who are not required to carry an identification to prove their citizenship, permanent residents must carry their Alien Registration Card with them at all times. The government agency responsible for issuing Alien Registration Cards is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which was formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

It was not until 1977 when the INS introduced an alien registration receipt card which could not be easily counterfeited. This Alien Registration Card previously came in various colors such as pink and pink with blue. The current, machine-readable Alien Registration Card is predominantly white with black letters. The Alien Registration Card, or permanent residency card, includes the bearer’s name and photograph as well as additional location information. It is the size of a credit card and is plastic. Throughout the years, the Alien Registration card continues to be updated with new anti-counterfeit features. When looking at the back of the current permanent residency card, the green appears prominent. Being a permanent resident in the United States entitles individuals to certain rights, and these rights came into existence when the permanent residency card was green. There are instances when the Alien Registration Card can be revoked. These instances include an individual being outside the United States for an extensive period of time, not maintaining permanent residence in the United States, or breaking certain laws.

NOTE: This is a great explanation of an Alien Registration card, but is NOT from a U.S. government agency HERE