USBP Travel Documents Part 3

I-151, I-551

INS forms I-151 and I-551 are issued to aliens who have been granted permanent resident status in the United States. They retain this status while in this country. The bearer is required to have this card in their possession at all times.

The first Alien Registration Receipt Card, form I-151, was introduced in 1946. Through 18 years of various revisions, it remained green in color. It became known as a Green Card. This term is still commonly used, although the cards have not been green since 1959. These green cards contained no expiration date and were only required to be renewed if the recipient was under the age of 14 at the time of issuance, or if the card was lost or stolen.