In any color, a better card / A preview of a new Social Security card for all?

By Union-Tribune Editorial Board,
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:04 a.m.

In 1820, there were 8,385 foreigners who obtained legal permanent resident status in the United States. Last year, there were roughly 1.1 million new legal residents admitted, including 20,779 in San Diego County. At some point, the government began giving these new residents a card documenting their legal status and eligibility to work, and it was green.

Strangely, the card has not been green since 1959. Most recently it was cream-colored and previously has been white, blue and even pink. But it was still known to the government, employers and immigrants as the “green card.â€