After 9/11: Processed by the INS

Why?

I was shocked and dismayed. I’d seen the reports of the INS detainees in Los Angeles.

You have to renew the Green Card.

But why? It’s not out of date. It has no expiry date.

They all have to be renewed after ten years.

But that only applies to those issued after 1993. Mine pre-dates that.

Well that has changed.

When? Was this a change in law? I didn’t see it.

A couple of months ago. It was advertised.

He wrote in my passport that I needed the 1-90 and signaled to the next person to approach. I said my thanks. He had let me into the country. I was learning compliance.

Finding the form was not difficult. The INS website is easy to navigate but I could find no change in law, policy, or a recent case that might indicate why I needed to renew my card. The 1-90 form required a photograph (color, three-quarter profile with right ear exposed), a cheque, copy of my card and ID. What I couldn’t figure out was why I was filling it out. My choices included ‘expiring or expired card’, ‘lost card’, ‘mutilated card’, ‘old edition of card’, ‘name change’. None applied. I called Customer Service.

This is Pat. How may I help you?”