Countywide : Chamber Will Offer Green Card Renewal

Immigrants who need to renew their green cards are invited to take advantage of outreach services offered by the British American Chamber of Commerce.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service has agreed to let the chamber process renewal forms for green cards on Jan. 10, Feb. 7 and April 7, said Valerie Blackholly, the chamber’s executive director. Immigrants from any country may participate.

INS officials announced plans in 1993 to replace and update all green cards issued before 1978. Cardholders must obtain new ones by March 20, Blackholly said. Some legal immigrants may not be aware that their cards will expire, she added.

Participants in the chamber’s program must make an appointment. They will receive forms and instructions in the mail, and are asked to take completed forms with them when they go to the outreach office.

“We’ll only take 20 minutes of their time,” Blackholly said. “There will be no taking numbers and waiting hours.”

Normally, renewing a green card means standing in line with hundreds of others at INS offices in downtown Los Angeles or Westminster, she said.

To make an appointment, call the chamber at (714) 452-9292.