USCIS announced on October 25, 2011 that from that day forward all Employment Authorization Documents issued by USCIS will have new enhanced security features. The USCIS stated in a news release announcing the new EAD card that it had "worked closely with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Forensic Document Laboratory to incorporate technology and tactile features in order to deter fraud and facilitate card authentication."
The process for applying for employment authorization or applying to renew employment authorization has not been changed. The application form and instructions for applying remain as previous. The change is to the physical document that is received by the alien.
USCIS has provided a sample of the new security enhanced EAD document with a detailed explanation of the changes on its website. The changes are intended to deter counterfeiting and altering of the card for criminal purposes.
It is advisable that an alien wishing to secure immigration benefits such as employment authorization contact an experienced immigration attorney who can review the package before submission for any errors or omissions that could result in a delay or denial of the request.
