Irish immigration at the millennium: Green card or citizenship? For many, a time to choose

By Harry Keaney

Immigrants who obtained their green cards about 10 years ago should now renew them.

In October 1989, the Immigration and Naturalization Service began issuing green cards with 10-year expiration dates. According to the INS, the first of these cards are now starting to expire, and about 660,000 resident aliens will need to renew their green cards within the next 14 months.

John Stahl, immigration counselor at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center in New York, said he would prefer if people with green cards would instead apply for their U.S. citizenship, but he pointed out that those with cards within six months of expiring should, for now, renew them.

People who file for U.S. citizenship six months or more before the expiration of their green card do not have to apply for renewal of their green card. If their green cards expire before they become naturalized U.S. citizens, they may obtain a temporary stamp on their passport at the local INS office by showing proof of application for citizenship six months before expiration of the green card.

However, those applying to become U.S. citizens within the six-month period preceding the expiration of their green card must also apply to renew their green cards and pay the $110 fee.

Stahl added that within the next five years, 48,000 Irish resident aliens issued Morrison visas will need to renew their green cards.

According to a statement from the EIIC, resident aliens with expired green cards will not lose their legal status in the U.S. However, they will need to renew the cards in order to maintain evidence of their permanent resident status for the purpose of obtaining employment, various benefits and reentry to the U.S. after traveling abroad. Renewal applicants may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident status at their local INS district office, according to the EIIC.

Permanent residents may apply to renew their cards up to six months prior to the expiration date. Applicants should complete form I-90. The forms may be requested from the INS forms hotline at (800) 870-3676 or from the internet at www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-90.htm.

People applying in New York City, Newark and Chicago district offices may mail in their applications. Mail-in procedures require the applicant to send their completed form I-90, $110 money order payable to the INS, three photographs (three-quarter side view with right ear exposed), and a copy of the front and back of their green card. District offices will schedule an appointment within about 45 days to complete processing and issue a temporary stamp as evidence of an applicant’s legal status.

It is expected to take 10 to 12 months until a new card is issued, according to the EIIC.

Applicants in the New York metropolitan area should mail the completed form, $110 filing fee, three photographs and a copy of both sides of their expiring green card to: USINS, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278, ATTN: I-90 Unit.

In all other locations, applicants must file in person at their local INS office.

The EIIC points out that people with an arrest record, even for relatively minor offenses, or who have spent a significant time out of the U.S. since obtaining permanent residence, should seek legal counsel before applying their green cards.

According to the EIIC, immigration laws passed in 1996 broadened the scope of offenses for which immigrants may be deported and are applied retroactively.

Immigrants may also be deported if an INS inspector believes a lengthy absence from the U.S. amounted to an abandonment of permanent residency.