Security Features Added to Certain Travel Documents

On October 24, 2019 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has begun producing a new travel document with new security features that will serve in place of permits to reenter the United States (form I-327, commonly referred to as “reentry permits”) and refugee travel documents (form I-571). This document will be in the form of a booklet and will look similar to a U.S. passport.

New Documents with Overt, Covert, and Forensic Security Features

The new travel document includes a redesigned cover, images of U.S. architecture dispersed throughout the booklet, and a combination of overt-, covert-, and forensic-level security features. As the USCIS explains, overt security features can be seen with the naked eye, while covert features require “a tool, such as a magnifying glass, to see fine detail artwork.” Forensic security features can only be identified with laboratory equipment.

Current Unexpired Travel Documents Remain Valid

Per the announcement, “[p]rior versions of the travel document will remain valid until their expiration date.” Release of these security-enhanced travel documents is to prevent fraud and enhance security verification with such documents.

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