Local INS Office to Renew Green Cards

With the number of green card renewal applicants expected to reach 750,000 this year, the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service this week expanded its services at the Van Nuys office, officials said Wednesday.

Beginning this week, Valley residents can renew green cards, which allow noncitizens to live and work in the United States, at the application and support center, 14515 Hamlin St., said Marybel Loeches, INS acting public information officer.

Previously people used the Van Nuys field office only to be fingerprinted.

“It saves people a lot of time,” she said. “They do not have to spend hours waiting [at the downtown office].”

Since 1989, INS has issued green cards that expire every 10 years. INS officials expect the number of applicants to reach 1 million in the next few years. The Van Nuys’ field office was one of nine in Southern California chosen because of its large immigrant population, Loeches said.

“These new procedures apply only to renewal applicants with expiring 10-year green cards,” Loeches said. “Application for stolen, lost or destroyed green cards must be filed at our Los Angeles district office.”