U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will
soon begin issuing a new
version of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Form I-766.
The EAD serves as proof to employers that an individual is authorized
to work in the United States. The new card is designed with numerous
security features to prevent counterfeiting and fraud. The card includes
a magnetic strip, a two dimensional barcode, and several features that
can be used in forensic examination to determine the card’s authenticity.
“USCIS is continuously looking for new ways to enhance national
security to maintain the integrity of the immigration system,”
said Eduardo Aguirre, Director of USCIS. “Including these new
security features into one of the most widely used immigration document
allows USCIS to make sure the right applicant receives our country’s
benefits.”
The new EAD eliminates all references to the former Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) and includes only markings that identify
it as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS document.
On March 1, 2003 USCIS became one of the three former INS components
to join DHS. USCIS is charged with fundamentally transforming and improving
the delivery of immigration and citizenship services. An EAD is normally
valid for up to one year, although there are some cases in which a longer
validity period is authorized. An EAD is typically produced and mailed
within three days after an individual’s application for benefits
is processed and approved. The current production rate of the EAD is
about 24,000 per week.
USCIS expects to issue the new cards in early June 2004.
(05/19/2004)
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