[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 102 (Friday, May 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30768-30769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10708]


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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]
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