U.S. agency looks at eliminating old green cards
About 750,000 IDs issued without expiration dates would be void. Immigration advocates say it’s a ploy to round up legal permanent residents who have committed crimes.

Anna Gorman

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is considering a proposal to eliminate hundreds of thousands of green cards issued years ago without expiration dates, a move that would help the agency track down individuals who have committed crimes and might be eligible for deportation.

By requiring immigrants to reapply for new cards, the federal agency would be able to update their personal information, conduct background checks and electronically store their fingerprints and photographs.

Authorities estimate there are 750,000 such green cards in circulation — some of which are now nearly 30 years old. They were issued between 1979 and 1989.

Newer cards, which expire after 10 years, are equipped with technology that makes them less susceptible to fraud, immigration services spokeswoman Sharon Rummery said. For example, the new cards feature miniature images of all the U.S. presidents, she said.

“There is, of course, a security aspect to it,â€