The Form I-688, Temporary Resident Card, was a laminated card that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued to legalized aliens and special agricultural workers (SAWS) whose status was adjusted to lawful temporary resident (LTR). An I-688 issued to a SAWS individual included an annotation that the status was granted pursuant to section 210 of the INA. In change of status cases, when the individual applied for and was granted lawful permanent residence (LPR), DHS placed a label (I-688 EXT) on the back of the I-688 to use until the I-551 is issued.

The Form I-688A, Employment Authorization Card, was a card that DHS issued to aliens who had filed to adjust their status to LTR.

The Form I-688B, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), was a laminated card DHS issued to nonimmigrants as evidence of employment authorization. It replaced the “employment authorization” annotation previously placed on other DHS documents.

Under the alternate evidence of LPR status policy, the face of the I-688B card included one of the following (status indicated in parenthesis) Provisions of Law

• •

  274(A).12(A)(3) (REFUGEE)

• •

  274(A).12(A)(4) (PAROLEE)

• •

  274(A).12(A)(5) (ASYLEE)

• •

  274(A).12(A)(6) (FIANCEE- K1/CHILD - K2)

• •

  274(A).12(A)(9) (SPOUSE/CHILD OF USC)

• •

  274(A).12(A)(15) (LPR DEPENDENT – V)

• •

  274(A).12(A)(16) (VSFT/T)

• •

  274(A).12(C)(9) (ADJUSTMENT APPLICANT)

• •

  274(A).12(C)(16) (ADJ APP - RES 1972)

• •

  274(A).12(C)(25) (VSFT/T DEPENDENT

DHS first issued Form I-688A to each legalization and SAW applicant at the initial interview prior to forwarding the legalization application to another DHS facility for a final determination. DHS now issues the I-688A only to class members of two ongoing lawsuits, Catholic Social Services v. Barr and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) v. INS.

DHS issued Form I-688 to legalization applicants and SAWs when it approved their applications and granted temporary resident status. The I-688 issued to legalization applicants (Section 245A of the INA) is valid for 31 months from the issue date. The I-688 issued to SAWs (Section 210 of the INA) is valid for three years from the issue date.

Form I-688A is a laminated card with the DHS seal imbedded in the laminate. The words “EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION” are shown on a red header and the words “U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service” are shown on a yellow header. “Form I-688A May 87” is printed in red on the right margin. A three letter DHS code is printed vertically on the right side of the alien's photograph. An outline of the continental U.S. is printed in red on the back of the card.

The issue date of the card coincides with the date the alien filed their application for legalization. The I-688A is valid for one year from the issue date.

See the Administrative-Confidential Memorandum . This publication is available online at http://www.fels.org/insforms/insdoc.htm

NOTE: DHS will extend the expiration date with a 90-day OR a one year extension sticker on the back of the card. If the expiration date has passed on the card, the alien should be referred to DHS. The SSN application should not be processed.

Form I-688 is a laminated card with the DHS seal imbedded in the laminate. The words “TEMPORARY RESIDENT” are shown on a green header and “U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service” are shown on a yellow header. “Form I-688 May 87” is printed in green on the right margin. A three-character DHS code is printed vertically on the right side of the alien's photograph. An outline of the continental U.S. is printed in green on the back of the card.

See the Administrative-Confidential Memorandum for a more complete description and the booklet, “A Guide to Selected U.S. Travel and Identity Documents”, for a color facsimile of the I-688. This publication is available online at http://www.fels.org/insforms/insdoc.htm.

NOTE: Some I-688s issued to SAWs may have one or more stickers on the back authorizing a one-year extension of the expiration date. The sticker is black with the words “I-688 VALIDITY EXTENDED ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF EXPIRATION” printed in optical variable ink.

With the exception of those aliens who are class members of the two class action law suits, DHS issued I-688s to legalization applicants and SAWs when it approved their applications. Many legalized aliens and SAWs have also applied for and been granted permanent resident status.

IMPORTANT: A temporary resident (i.e.; legalized alien or a SAW) applying for a replacement SSN card must provide their I-688A or I-688 to establish alien status and identity.

REMINDER: : If the alien does not have an SSN and is now applying for an original SSN card, they must present an I-688A or I-688 to establish alien status and identity and at least one other document to establish age.

Pay particular attention to the authenticity of the I-688A or I-688 presented. Compare it to the exhibits in C. above, the guidelines in the Administrative-Confidential Memorandum , and the example in the booklet, “A Guide to Selected U.S. Travel and Identity Documents”. This publication is available online at http://www.fels.org/insforms/insdocs.htm. Follow the procedure in RM 10210.210 and RM 10205.305 for suspect/fraudulent documents.

Have the alien check the “Legal Alien Allowed to Work” block in item 3 (Citizenship).

Follow RM 10205.185 to code the SS-5.

• •

  Do not make any entry in the NPN field.

• •

  Enter “N” in the PRA block.

• •

  In the “Evidence Submitted” block properly record all evidence submitted. In addition to the DHS form number (i.e., I-688A or I-688) enter the alien registration number (A#).

REMINDER: If the applicant is age 12 or older and is now applying for an original SSN, conduct an in-person interview. Follow the interviewing guides in RM 10205.112.