Green Card Replacement Pilot Project

Sheela Murthy: "There is yet another 2004 pilot project designed to enhance efficiency at the USCIS. Under this pilot program, it will now be possible to obtain a replacement or renewal of the I-551 card or 'green card' in Los Angeles within less than a week.

The form that is used to request replacement for lost green cards or renewals for expiring green cards is the Form I-90. The I-90 typically takes substantial time to process, often in excess of a year. Under the pilot project, the application will be made electronically via the USCIS WebSite. Once the application is filed, the individual will simply make an appointment at the Application Support Center (ASC) nearest his/her residence for further processing. The appointments are made through a toll-free number provided on the transaction receipt given after the application is filed. At the appointment, the I-551 card or 'green card' will be ordered by the ASC and should arrive in the mail in less than a week.

This pilot program is available only to people normally serviced by the Los Angels District Office. It is scheduled to end on September 30, 2004. Eligible individuals with pending I-90s may wish to re-file using the new system. We note that electronic filing is not available to persons whose need is for new green cards because they have turned 14 years of age. Therefore, the program is not available for these renewal I-551 cards.

Although not stated specifically, we presume that, as with all pilot programs, if this trial is successful it would likely expand to other locations. If replacement green cards could be processed more quickly, it would reduce the need for obtaining temporary evidence stamps in passports as proof of status while waiting for the replacement card to allow one to work and travel without problems. This would decrease the number of people appearing at the local USCIS offices, taking up USCIS officers' time to obtain reissued temporary evidence stamps.

We are pleased that the USCIS is making significant efforts to lessen backlogs and make portions of the immigration process far more efficient. The DHS's goal of streamlining and expediting processing of most immigration petitions or forms by fiscal year 2006, which starts on October 1, 2005, may indeed become reality at this pace.

© The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C."