The number of foreigners who became permanent U.S. immigrants dropped sharply in 2003 as anti-terrorism measures delayed the processing of applications, according to a new government report. The report, by the Department of Homeland Security, showed that 705,827 people became legal permanent residents in fiscal 2003, down from 1.06 million the year before. The Washington area recorded a 22 percent decline. A permanent-resident document, known as a “green card,” allows an immigrant to live and work indefinitely in the United States and is the first step toward citizenship. Full Story