WASHINGTON (AP) – What the federal government sees as a way to beef up security, an immigration advocate sees as another roundup of immigrants for deportation.

A division of the Homeland Security Department on Wednesday proposed requiring legal residents with green cards issued without expiration dates to get those cards replaced. And the government estimated Wednesday that about 750,000 cards need replacing.

But getting the card replaced could be like walking into a trap for some legal residents.

A 1996 immigration law expanded the list of crimes for which immigrants, even those with legal residency, could be deported.

Under that law, some legal residents have been deported for crimes they committed when they were younger and for which they’ve already paid fines or served jail time.

Some legal residents are snared when they try to re-enter the country when returning from vacation abroad. Some leave children and spouses behind in the U.S.

“This is a way of asking people to come report themselves,” said Crystal Williams, associate director for programs at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Green cards are proof of authorization to live and work in the U.S. Legal residents must carry the card at all times.

The government wants to redo the photos and fingerprints to make sure the cards are updated and accurate.

“It’s a security issue,” said Bill Wright, Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman. “It’s making sure the right person has the right card.”

Legal residents will have to pay a $290 replacement application fee plus $80 for electronic fingerprints and a photo. Under the proposal, legal residents would have 120 days – about four months – to replace their cards.

The government is not proposing to go look for legal residents who have the cards without expiration dates. And since most of its records are on paper, it would be difficult to find them.

But the government is proposing to terminate cards that are not updated and to prosecute legal residents who fail to update their cards after giving them two chances to do so.

A terminated card would not invalidate an immigrant’s status as a legal resident, but could make it hard to travel or get a new job.

After that, those who fail to comply could face up to 30 days in prison and a $100 fine.

The proposal is not final, but legal residents can begin applying now for a replacement if they choose.

Public comment on the proposal will be taken online at the Federal Register or by mail at Citizenship and Immigration Services through Sept. 21.

—

On the Net: USCIS green card replacement FAQ: http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/I551ReplacementQA082207.pdf

AP-ES-08-22-07 1649EDT