More people seeking proper immigration papers.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

MIAMI _ Sabine Bond of Sweden came to renew her green card. Roberto Garcia of Mexico showed up to apply for a green card. Jorge Castro of Colombia turned up to advance his asylum case.

The three were among a steady stream of foreign nationals arriving throughout on a recent day at U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Application Support Center in Miami.

Since Florida tied immigration status to driver's licenses, the number of people seeking proper immigration papers has increased, according to INS officials. The officials said they have not quantified the increase, but one center reported a 25 percent increase in the number of people showing up since the new license regulations took effect in December.

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, state officials made it a legal requirement for foreign nationals to present immigration documents proving they are legally in the country before obtaining a license.

The measures tightened the rules for foreigners seeking licenses. As a general rule, licenses expire when immigration documents expire. However, anyone with a 10-year green card can obtain a regular license _ at least for now.

Under the new rules, other legal non-citizens who apply for licenses get 30-day paper permits while their immigration documents are checked. If cleared, they receive their new licenses in the mail.

Gregoire Chery, an immigration officer at the Miami INS Application Support Center, said that on the average 10 to 20 more people are visiting the application center.