Appendix B: Immigration and Identity Cards

United States Citizens

Those born in the US, naturalized through court proceedings or born abroad to US citizens are almost always citizens. A citizen is not required to carry proof of citizenship.

Noncitizens

Immigrants

Immigrants have permanent residency status and are allowed to work and own property in the U.S. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 permits undocumented noncitizens who meet certain requirements to apply for permanent residency.

Nonimmigrants

Some nonimmigrants are not authorized to work in the U.S. Some students and exchange visitors may have written employment authorization. Some agricultural laborers also have work authorization.

Parolees

Noncitizens not otherwise admissible whom the government nevertheless permits to enter. Employment is permitted in most cases.

Illegal Entrants

Those having neither temporary nor permanent stay documents of an unexpired nature.

Samples of U.S. Identification Cards

Document Type:

Alien Registration Receipt Card

Document Number:

I-551

Residency status:

Permanent

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • This form replaced older issues of the I-151. The photo is part of the form and has no raised edges.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

Alien Registration Receipt Card

Document Number:

I-551

Residency status:

Permanent

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • This form replaced older issues of the I-151. The photo is part of the form and has no raised edges.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

Alien Registration Receipt Card

Document Number:

I-151

Residency status:

Permanent

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • This form is no longer issued but is still in circulation and still valid. Photo may be either color or black and white.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

Alien Registration Receipt Card

Document Number:

I-151

Residency status:

Permanent

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • This form is no longer issued but is still in circulation and still valid. The form is bluish-green.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

Alien Registration Receipt Card

Document Number:

I-151

Residency status:

Permanent

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • This form is no longer issued but is still in circulation and still valid. The form is bluish-green. Photo may be either color or black and white.

Cash Benefit Status:

Eligible

Document Type:

Employment Authorization

Document Number:

I-688A

Residency status:

Holder has applied for temporary residency

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Illegal noncitizens who apply and go through a preliminary interview for residency under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (legalization program) are first issued the I-688A. The card gives them the right to work in the U.S. When they are granted temporary residency, they are issued the I-688.

  • Laminated.

  • Photo is part of the form and has no raised edges. Gold Department of Justice seal in laminate is superimposed over the middle of the card front.

SNAP Status:

Not eligible

Document Type:

Temporary Resident Identification Card

Document Number:

I-688

Residency status:

Temporary

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • Photo is part of the form and has no raised edges.

  • Gold Department of Justice seal in laminate is superimposed over the middle of the card front.

SNAP Status:

Not eligible

Document Type:

Refugee Documentation

Document Number:

I-94

Notes:

This version was issued from January 1, 1983, through September 30, 1985.

SNAP Status:

Eligible refugee

Document Type:

Cuban/Haitian EntrantDocumentation

Document Number:

I-94

Notes:

All Cubans and Haitians have been granted extended employment authorization by an act of Congress.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

Refugee Documentation

Document Number:

I-94

Notes:

This version was issued after October 1, 1985.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

Departure Record

Document Number:

I-94

Notes:

  • This form is issued to visitors to the U.S. and will show the date of issue and date by which the visitor must depart.

  • Employment is not allowed unless specifically noted on the form.

  • The form is carried in conjunction with a passport.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if stamped "Refugee" or "Parolee." INS section number should also be verified.

Document Type:

Passport

Notes:

This is an example of a passport that thas been stamped inside by the INS.

SNAP Status:

Eligible if other criteria are met; see 522.11

Document Type:

U.S. Citizen Identification Card

Document Number:

I-197

Residency status:

U.S. Citizen

Employment:

Allowed

Notes:

  • Laminated.

  • Form I-197 has not been issued since April 1983 and there is no replacement card. The card was issued to naturalized U.S. citizens. The cards are still in circulation and still valid.

SNAP Status:

Not eligible

Document Type:

Certification of Birth issued by the Department of State

Document Number

FS-545

Notes:

Issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas to U.S. citizens born abroad.

Document Type:

Certification of Birth issued by the Department of State

Document Number

DS-1350

Notes:

Issued to U.S. citizens born abroad.

Document Type:

U.S. Citizen Identification Card

Document Number

I-197

Notes:

  • Issued by the INS to U.S. citizens.

  • The INS no longer issues this card.

Document Type:

Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the U.S.

Document Number

I-179

Notes:

  • Issued by the INS to U.S. citizens who are residents of the U.S.

  • The INS no longer issues this card.

Reissued  March 1, 2012 replacing March 29, 2008