What is Form I-551?
 Legal Definition of Form I-551:
United States permanent residents have an identification card known as
“Form I-551”. Other names that
Form I-551 is known as are Green Card, immigrant
visa, permanent visa, permanent resident card and permanent resident visa. Form
I-551 is the official name of the Green Card. In the past the identification
card was known as an alien registration receipt, which was previously its formal
title. The U.S.
Department of Homeland Security now requires that permanent residents who are
traveling show their Form I-551 or other
document that will prove their legal status in the country. The government
agency responsible for issuing Form I-551s
is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which was formerly the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
The current
Form I-551
or Green Card is predominantly white with black
letters. Form I-551 includes a person’s name and photograph as well as other information. It is
the size of a credit card and is plastic. When looking at the back of the
current permanent residency card, the green is more prominent. Throughout the
years, it continues to be updated with new anti-counterfeit features. Regardless
of the color of the actual card, it will be known as the “Green
Card” because the first card that differentiated lawful permanent residents
was green and it is a term that has stuck to it. Being a permanent resident in
the United States entitles individuals to certain rights and those rights came
into existence when the permanent residency card was green. However, there are
instances when Form I-551 can be revoked. These instances include an individual being outside
the United States for an extensive period of time, not maintaining permanent
residence in the United States or breaking certain laws.
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