Biometrics Walk-in in Brooklyn, and a note about hair!

[leash5 3]

Hi all,

I tried unsuccessfully to walk in for biometrics in Brooklyn last Tuesday, after reading that someone else had managed on that day. Tried again today. Got up at 6am, traveled an hour to get there and arrived at 7:39. There were 25 people ahead of me and by the time they opened the door, 70 people behind.

At the first desk I went up to, the officer looked at me doubtfully, seeing my appointment date was August 12th, and yelled out, "Are we taking earlies today?" No one answered him, so he told me to just go ahead, but that someone might say no to me down the road. NOTE: they do check the date on your letter, unlike what I had read about other service centers.

After I took the initial form he handed me to fill out (an exercise in speed writing) to the next receptionist, I was asked for my ID. (TIP: it matters how fast you fill out the form, not what place you were in line, so have your height, weight, hair and eye colour and receipt numbers handy). When the clerk looked at my Canadian passport he said it did not look enough like me, and did I have another form of ID? LUCKILY, I did. (TIP #2: take 2 forms of ID if you have it). I showed an expired US Drivers License, which he accepted.

I was then given a number and told to sit in a waiting area. Very shortly thereafter, they then randomly herded everyone in the waiting area into another set of chairs and took all of our numbers-- thus erasing my place in line and causing a certain amount of pandemonium every time "next" was called, as no one knew exactly who that rightfully was.

When it was my turn, after about 25 minutes wait, I went in and a woman took my fingerprints successfully. I was then photographed, and here comes some irony. I have sort of a vintage/ rockabilly style, with short, thick bangs and heavy '50s glasses. I was told to remove my glasses, tuck my hair behind my ears and mash my bangs off my forehead. Without a mirror, it looked pretty darn awful! (TIP #3: no glasses allowed in the photo and they must be able to see your ears and forehead, so perhaps style your hair that way nicely, in a mirror, before going. hair up would likely work). IRONICALLY, my green card photo (is this what they use for it??) will not only look terrible, but very similar to my rejected passport photo, which looks nothing like me.

Anyway, walk-in #2= successful!

[LiLMermaid 2]

Maybe when they said your passport looked nothing like you, you should have whipped off your glasses, slicked your hair back and said "How about NOW?"

I'm sorry but that was hilarious, I was visualizing you 'fixing' your hair for your photo and I was laughing my a$$ off! Its crazy how they make people look different for these photos and then when you use this ID you can see the person eye-balling you like your a fraud.

[leash5 3]

Right? Hilarious . And for all this time and money spent, I'll end up with a card with a photo that could be anyone!

[EmVee 4]

At my biometrics I had one of those stretchy hairbands that goes on over your ears, and she said to me "Push it behind your ears... no, don't take it off, I want your hair held back. Just push it back."

So my ears stick out miles in the picture. Niiiice.

Edited July 28, 2010 by EmVee

[leash5 3]

Maybe when they said your passport looked nothing like you, you should have whipped off your glasses, slicked your hair back and said "How about NOW?"

I'm sorry but that was hilarious, I was visualizing you 'fixing' your hair for your photo and I was laughing my a$$ off! Its crazy how they make people look different for these photos and then when you use this ID you can see the person eye-balling you like your a fraud.

I don't know the polite manner in which to ask you this question, but since this is my post I am hijacking, maybe it's o.k.? I've seen your pretty tough responses to a few people's questions about AOS from tourist status, and I think you give good advice. If you have a moment, what do you think of my screwed up AOS from TN/ tourist/ overstay situation? I am so worried! THANK YOU!

AOS from TN

[LiLMermaid 2]

I don't know the polite manner in which to ask you this question, but since this is my post I am hijacking, maybe it's o.k.? I've seen your pretty tough responses to a few people's questions about AOS from tourist status, and I think you give good advice. If you have a moment, what do you think of my screwed up AOS from TN/ tourist/ overstay situation? I am so worried! THANK YOU!

AOS from TN

I just read the thread....WOW! You made a few mistakes didnt you? Just stating the obvious as if you didn't know that already I didn't read the whole thread ...just your post and I'm sure you got alot of good advice in there already.

Questions/ summary:

1) I recently found out I was technically in overstay-out of status when I left for my marriage in Canada and then re-entered the USA. Will this prevent me from being approved to adjust status and get a green card? It could possibly but probably not.

2) Would that be considered an illegal entry? Nope, you were inspected, you answered honestly. He didn't ask the right questions.

3) OR, would my entry to the USA during overstay/ out of status trigger a 10 year ban if discovered during the review of my green card paperwork? When we entered back in after our marriage I could be considered having already overstayed by 11 months, and now it's been more than 2 years. If you leave...your a$$ is HAD! You get banned on departure from the USA. So for instance if you left and applied for a visa from Canada instead of applying for AOS here, you'd be in tougher shape then you are now.

4) My biggest worry is being banned from the USA forever (I honestly think this may cause a huge amount of friction in my marriage, and perhaps divorce, not to mention sadness at never being able to see any of my American family and friends again....). And I also worry about being deported-- how long it would take, if it might happen at my AOS interview, etc. I am almost obsessed with worrying about this. You won't get banned forever, 10 years seems like it though but more then likely you'll end up approved but you're probably going to be in for a lot of questions at your interview.

Honestly people who come in as tourists and AOS tend to tick me off cause most of them are well aware of what they are doing and are just trying to get around the system and take shortcuts. You were just apparently oblivious. I can see that and so will the immigration officer. At this point all you can do is sit back and realize that there is NOTHING you can do and relax and just be honest.

Can anyone help at all? Did I make a huge mistake in applying? Nope...if you want to stay its your only option. Leaving will get you banned.

Another thing to ponder.....the reason they don't deny most of these cases is because its a lot more time, money and trouble to deport someone then to beef up the borders and deny entry in the first place. Hence the reason I get annoyed at the ones who purposely cross and AOS knowing full well how its supposed to be done. It makes it harder for the rest of the Canadians who really only want to visit.

I'm sure it'll probably all turn out fine....just a lot more stressful then most.

Good luck!

[leash5 3]

Thank you for your answer! I suppose I will just have to relax. Easier said than done while waiting, not working, etc. But at least we can legally be together in Canada if this falls through, which I am very grateful for!