[Federal Register: May 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 102)]
[Notices]
[Page 30768-30769]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27my05-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2346-05]
RIN 1615-ZA22
Direct Mail Program for Submitting Application To Replace
Permanent Resident Card, Form I-90
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of
Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is expanding its
Direct Mail Program to provide that aliens seeking to renew or replace
their Permanent Resident Card using the newly revised Form I-90,
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, must file their
application at a designated lock-box facility for initial processing,
instead of at their local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
office, Service Center, or Application Support Center. The Direct Mail
Program allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to more
efficiently process applications by eliminating duplicative work,
maximizing staff productivity, and introducing better information
management tools.
DATES: This Notice is effective May 31, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Watson, Lockbox Project
Manager, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of
Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Room 1000, Washington,
DC 20529, Telephone (202) 272-1001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
What is the Direct Mail program?
Under the Direct Mail program, applicants for certain immigration
benefits mail the designated application or petition directly to a U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing center instead
of submitting it to their local USCIS office. The purpose and strategy
of the Direct Mail program have been discussed in detail in previous
rulemakings and Notices (see 59 FR 33903, 59 FR 33985, 60 FR 22408, 61
FR 2266, 61 FR 56060, 62 FR 16607, 63 FR 891, 63 FR 892, 63 FR 13434,
63 FR 13878, 63 FR 16828, 63 FR 50584, 63 FR8688, 63 FR 8689, 64 FR
67323, 69 FR 3380, and 69 FR 4210).
What is the purpose of the Form I-90?
Form I-90 is used to apply for a replacement or renewal of Form I-
551, Permanent Resident Card. The specific requirements and procedures
to obtain a Permanent Resident Card can be found at 8 CFR 264.5.
Approximately one million of these forms are filed annually.
Why is a Permanent Resident Card necessary?
Section 264(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
provides that, every alien in the United States who has been registered
and fingerprinted ``shall be issued a certificate of alien registration
or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at
such time as shall be prescribed under regulations * * *.'' Section
264(e) of the INA also provides that ``[e]very alien, eighteen years of
age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his
personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien
registration receipt card issued to him * * *. Any alien who fails to
comply with [these] provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor * *
*.'' The Permanent Resident Card provides documentary evidence that the
bearer has been granted lawful permanent residence in the United States
and has been registered.
The specific requirements and procedures for applying to replace a
permanent resident card (including renewals of expiring permanent
resident cards) via submission of a Form I-90 with the required initial
evidence are set forth at 8 CFR 264.5.
Explanation of Changes
Does this Notice make any changes relating to an alien's eligibility
for issuance of a replacement permanent resident card?
No. This Notice only effects a change in the filing location for
these applications.
Will applicants for replacement permanent resident cards be required to
make a personal appearance to have their biometrics captured?
Yes, in accordance with the instructions contained on the newly
revised Form I-90, applicants will be notified how to make an
appointment to appear for biometrics processing. Due to new
technological capabilities, USCIS is now able to store captured
biometrics data to be utilized in the future. This enhancement will
assist applicants by reducing the number of future visits needed to the
local Application Support Center throughout the entire
[[Page 30769]]
immigration process. The applicants will now appear and have their
photograph, fingerprints, and signature captured in this single visit.
Due to the fact that USCIS is now taking photographs of applicants,
there is no longer the requirement to submit photographs with the Form
I-90. The biometrics fee covering this service is $70.
Which applicants for replacement or renewal of Permanent Resident Cards
are affected by this Notice?
This Notice affects those aliens who are required to file for a
replacement Permanent Resident Card pursuant to 8 CFR 264.5(b), for
example, when:
(1) The previous card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed;
(2) The existing 10-year card is expiring within 6 months;
(3) The existing card has been mutilated;
(4) The bearer's name or other biographic information has been
legally changed since the issuance of the existing card;
(5) The applicant is taking up actual residence in the United
States after having been a commuter, or is a permanent resident taking
up commuter status;
(6) The applicant has automatically converted to permanent resident
status;
(7) The previous card issued was never received;
(8) The bearer of the card reaches the age of 14 years (unless the
existing card will expire prior to the bearer's 16th birthday); or
(9) The existing card contains incorrect data on account of USCIS
or former INS error.
To what address should aliens filing Form I-90 send their application?
Effective May 31, 2005, all applicants for replacement permanent
resident cards (including applicants seeking to renew expiring 10-year
Permanent Resident Cards) should submit their Form I-90 directly to the
following address:
For United States Postal Service (USPS) deliveries: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, P.O. Box 54870, Los Angeles, CA
90054-0870.
For non-United States Postal Service (USPS) deliveries (e.g.,
Federal Express, UPS, or DHL): U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, Attention: I-90, 16420 Valley View Avenue, La Mirada, CA
90638.
Applicants should NOT submit the required initial evidence (i.e.
your prior card or other evidence of identity) or any supporting
documentation with the Form I-90. All required initial evidence and any
supporting documentation must be submitted at the time of the
applicant's in-person appearance at the local USCIS Application Support
Center.
Which version of the Form I-90 will USCIS accept?
As of May 31, 2005, USCIS will accept Form I-90 (edition date 5-06-
05, OMB 1615-0082). Any prior versions of the Form I-90, submitted
after May 31, 2005, without the required biometric fee, will be
rejected and returned to the applicant with accompanying fees for
resubmission with the proper version of the form.
What will happen to Forms I-90 covered by this Notice that are filed at
other USCIS locations?
USCIS will have a 45-day transition period, beginning from May 31,
2005, through July 15, 2005, during which it will automatically forward
to the Los Angeles/La Mirada Lockbox address any Form I-90s filed at a
location other than the Lockbox (i.e., a local USCIS district office,
Service Center or Application Support Center). Applications forwarded
from other USCIS offices will be considered properly filed when
receipted at the Lockbox. After the 45-day transition period, any Form
I-90 received at a location other than the Lockbox address will be
returned with an explanation directing the applicant to mail the
application directly to the Los Angeles/La Mirada Lockbox address for
processing.How will your check be processed once it reaches the Lockbox facility?
If you send us a check, it will be converted into an electronic
funds transfer (EFT). This means we (USCIS and the Lockbox facility)
will copy your check and use the account information on it to
electronically debit your account for the amount of the check. The
debit from your account will usually occur within 24 hours, and will be
shown on your regular account statement.
You will not receive your original check back. We will destroy your
original check, but will keep the copy of it. If the EFT cannot be
processed for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy
in place of your original check. If the EFT cannot be completed because
of insufficient funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two times.
Dated: May 24, 2005.
Eduardo Aguirre,
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
[FR Doc. 05-10708 Filed 5-25-05; 9:56 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P
