A new identification card has been unveiled by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It's too early to say conclusively what the card will mean for those who choose to take advantage, but we wanted to make Ohio residents are aware of the government's new system.
In a Feb. 11 memo the USCIS announced that it was combining employment and travel authorization on a single card for those who have completed a Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). In the announcement the USCIS stated the card "looks similar to the current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) but will include text that reads: 'Serves as I-512 Advance Parole.'"
The USCIS says the card will allow the holder to travel abroad without impacting the adjustment application. They will be expected to present the card at their port-of-entry to request parole.
But the memo does say that "the decision to parole the (card holder) is made at the port-of-entry." Some immigration attorneys are therefore concerned the card will cause some to travel abroad and find themselves unable to return to the U.S. They advise any immigrant who initially entered the country illegally to wait for his or her green card to arrive.
And while the card does seem to be a much-needed streamlining of the system, there are question marks about the fact USCIS says only "certain" 1-485 applicants are eligible. At this point we don't know for certain which applicants those will include.
The USCIS believes the card is more secure than the current paper form of its Advance Parole document. Also, employers are allowed to use the card as a List A document for the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification).
To receive the card an applicant must complete both a Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and a Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) after or while filing a Form I-485. The USCIS says it will continue issuing individual EAD and Advance Parole documents.
