My wife just got her "green card"

[ilFarinello 0]

If this is the wrong place to post, sorry, please move it.

So after this long , complicated, and expensive battle she finally got the green card (yay). It arrived a few days ago and my first thoughts were, wow, this thing is sinister looking. It came with a little pouch "to avoid wireless communication". My worry is this, if it is capable of wireless communication this card must have a tracking device in it. Especially since they say it is the law to keep it with you at all times. What is in the crazy hologram section on the back? Does anybody else have concerns about this? When my grandmother got hers years ago it was literally a piece of paper like a social security card. I told my wife sorry, I think you just were welcomed into the USSA... ???

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It says to "prevent wireless communication with it". There are devices that can read the magnetic strips on credit cards and steal the numbers and information wirelessly. Criminal can carry these devices in their pockets and get all the CC numbers of the people around them. A GC also has a magnetic strip on it. They give you the pouch for your protection, so you don't get your identity stolen from these devices.

If they wanted to spy on you, then they would NOT give you that pouch, since it PREVENTS communication with it.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It doesn't actually emit a signal, but it can be read, like credit cards, to get the information off it. The pouch is to stop people from reading your card remotely and using your info.

There's no need to be paranoid. I carry mine in it's little pouch. I'm more worried about my bag being stolen than the card transmitting my location...

[Tygrys 143]

It has passive RFID in it, not the GPS for God's sake. If also can be surrendered at any time if the owner doesn't like it.

[ilFarinello 0]

Sorry guys but given what has being going on in this country since 9/11 I do not think my original worry was so far fetched (do any of you read the news??, patriot act,surveillance drones in usa, etc). I think it is a legitimate question to ask if carrying this card means having the owners location known. As for the pouch, it is just normal paper right, I did not see any significance to it, but if it is not carried in this paper, it can interfere with cell phones, etc., is that the idea? I still will reccomend it be left at home...

[Enigma11561 336]

On a more serious note, the GC is a very valuable piece of property.The hologram is just one of many security features to prevent fraud ( being copied or changed). It's there for your protection.And yes, there are devices that can read the mag stripe so keeping it in its pouch is a good idea.

[Enigma11561 336]

Sorry guys but given what has being going on in this country since 9/11 I do not think my original worry was so far fetched (do any of you read the news??, patriot act,surveillance drones in usa, etc). I think it is a legitimate question to ask if carrying this card means having the owners location known. As for the pouch, it is just normal paper right, I did not see any significance to it, but if it is not carried in this paper, it can interfere with cell phones, etc., is that the idea? I still will reccomend it be left at home...

Honestly, you are over reacting. If your wife gets stopped for any reason, that card is her ID over here. It cannot be used to determine your location. Imbedded in that "normal" piece of paper is a material that prevents the card from being read by another device.

[amberlynnloves 125]

I have a Passport Card. It has the exact same RFID chip in it. It just makes it easier for them to pull up your information when you cross the border. Mine also came with a paper sleeve. It JUST prevents someone from stealing your ID with those devices. They will NOT track your location. Even if they did, if you don't have any reason to be suspicious or doing anything illegal, why be so worried? They know where you live. TRUST ME THEY KNOW.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Sorry guys but given what has being going on in this country since 9/11 I do not think my original worry was so far fetched (do any of you read the news??, patriot act,surveillance drones in usa, etc). I think it is a legitimate question to ask if carrying this card means having the owners location known. As for the pouch, it is just normal paper right, I did not see any significance to it, but if it is not carried in this paper, it can interfere with cell phones, etc., is that the idea? I still will reccomend it be left at home...

The pouch is not normal paper. The original one (which I still have) was very obviously some sort of metal paper, but that' 2 years ago. My new one it looks like paper but if you look closer, you can see shiny sections. It'll be a kind of aluminium or something like that which stops the RFID chip from being read. Whether it's carried in the paper or not, it can't interfere with cellphones. It doesn't DO anything. It's just like a credit card. The strip has personal info (like the credit card) and can be "read" by certain devices.

I'm sure you're aware that your credit cards can be read and that you carry them in aluminium foil to stop that happening. right? Or you got a wallet that blocks RFID chips from being read? if you're not worried about your credit cards being read, there's no need to worry about the GC.

on another note, make sure you have a photocopy of it stored somewhere. Front and back. A scanned copy too if you can in case its lost or stolen.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[Darnell 8,478]

The EMI barrier it was encased in, is to prevent it being read whilst in transit.

Think about it - would you want the card to be read, the details on the card, to get into the hands of a gang catering to illegal aliens?

Now that you have it - do understand that the card is read by an officer of the US Government when it's time to read it.

POE during transit, an ICE stop when travelling on the highway, when held in a jail , etc...

Relax please - these electronic counter-measures for the carrier are normal. It's our government looking out for you...

[ilFarinello 0]

I don't really want to get into a back and forth thing here but when I showed the card to many different people they all were thinking the same thing, not at all insane given the direction our government has gone. Everyone I know who has a "green card" got one when they were issued on paper, or regular lamented card that looks more like a drivers license. I guess I am not familiar with this new technology, I still say it is scary. Sorry, I guess I am old school.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Kathryn41
quoted removed comment edited out

[Enigma11561 336]

Think about this for a moment. How many changes has our paper money gone through over the past few years? Different colors now, more intaglio and micro printing.Credit cards now have a 3 digit codes on the back and holograms as well not to mention other safety features. So the government has decided to upgrade the GC's for better protection, FOR THE HOLDER, and your getting a bit wacko over this? And those people who have paper GC's, when it is time to renew them will get the same thing as your wife. Betcha they will not wait to show it off to their friends.Like "wow, look at this thing" !

[scotinmass 588]

If this is the wrong place to post, sorry, please move it.

So after this long , complicated, and expensive battle she finally got the green card (yay). It arrived a few days ago and my first thoughts were, wow, this thing is sinister looking. It came with a little pouch "to avoid wireless communication". My worry is this, if it is capable of wireless communication this card must have a tracking device in it. Especially since they say it is the law to keep it with you at all times. What is in the crazy hologram section on the back? Does anybody else have concerns about this? When my grandmother got hers years ago it was literally a piece of paper like a social security card. I told my wife sorry, I think you just were welcomed into the USSA... ???

My Green card is kept in the safe at home so if the government really are tracking me they must have wondered why I've never left the house in 3 years!

Edited December 8, 2012 by scotinmass

[Hypnos 6,576]

I still will reccomend it be left at home

My Green card is kept in the safe at home

By law a green card holder must keep it on their person at all times.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Hypnos

[mattene 13]

have u actually read this from the USCIS site scotinmass? >>>> If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid green card in your possession at all times <<<<

You may wanna start carrying it because you have been breaking the law!