URGENT URGENT URGENT QUESTION

[M.A.C 1]

I did a walk in biometrics on the 27th of Dec which was originally scheduled for 14th Jan 2011 .... I contacted USCIS at that time to check if they've it in their records, they told me YES they had it in their records .....

Now, just to be on the safe side I contacted USCIS again as the original appointment is for tomorrow - and the supervisor told me that despite they've the record on their system I should SHOW UP tomorrow and tell them that I've already got the biometrics done (I've the original biometrics paper stamped by the AOS guy and he took my fingerprints, picture and signature) .... Because the computer would not know that I've got my biometrics done that's why the computer will keep sending me the biometrics appointments letter .... Now, please advise me what should I do ?? Should I go or not ??

[HappyRs 8]

I did a walk in biometrics on the 27th of Dec which was originally scheduled for 14th Jan 2011 .... I contacted USCIS at that time to check if they've it in their records, they told me YES they had it in their records .....

Now, just to be on the safe side I contacted USCIS again as the original appointment is for tomorrow - and the supervisor told me that despite they've the record on their system I should SHOW UP tomorrow and tell them that I've already got the biometrics done (I've the original biometrics paper stamped by the AOS guy and he took my fingerprints, picture and signature) .... Because the computer would not know that I've got my biometrics done that's why the computer will keep sending me the biometrics appointments letter .... Now, please advise me what should I do ?? Should I go or not ??

Personally I don't think you really need to go to the USCIS office again, as I haven't ever heard of anyone who did a successful walk-in that had to go back , but if you want to play it safe, you might want to go for your peace of mind (depending on how far the office is from your home, of course). Good luck!

[marriedtomrg 140]

You should go. Better safe than sorry.

[caeremonarius 26]

My wife did a walk-in the day after we got her letter. When they stamped the letter during the walk-in, the gentleman who did the biometrics said that that was our proof that we'd completed the biometrics. We did NOT go back, and we successfully adjusted.

The whole point of the walk-in is to avoid going on your appointment date. As HappyRs said, I've never heard of anyone going a second time after a successful walk-in. Don't bother going back.

Good luck!

AJ

[M.A.C 1]

My wife did a walk-in the day after we got her letter. When they stamped the letter during the walk-in, the gentleman who did the biometrics said that that was our proof that we'd completed the biometrics. We did NOT go back, and we successfully adjusted.

The whole point of the walk-in is to avoid going on your appointment date. As HappyRs said, I've never heard of anyone going a second time after a successful walk-in. Don't bother going back.

Good luck!

AJ

I saw in your timeline that you had a LUD on the date you did your WALK IN .... But in my case I DIDN'T .... I had no updates after 19th Nov :'(

[bbutterfly 12]

I saw in your timeline that you had a LUD on the date you did your WALK IN .... But in my case I DIDN'T .... I had no updates after 19th Nov :'(

I am almost in the same situation with you. did a walk in on the 28th, no touch since the 18th, original appointment is tomorrow

Today I got to talk to someone( other than the 1st line customer service rep). I was originally calling to have some clarifications about the RFE I received, and asked him if he could check my records to see if they have my biometrics. He said yes it shows that I was there on the 28th and they recorded everything. He told me there is no need to go tomorrow, however in some cases, if the computer doesn't pick up that I was there, it might generate a letter, saying that I missed the appointment and reschedule another one. He insisted on telling me that that was just a generic letter and it might not even get to me because the person mailing the computer generated letter , might pay attention and not mail it.

But he say to be on the safe side, to keep my stamped biometrics letter (aka receipt), and if I receive a letter, send them a copy of the receipt with the letter and it will fix the issue

Hope that helps

[caeremonarius 26]

I saw in your timeline that you had a LUD on the date you did your WALK IN .... But in my case I DIDN'T .... I had no updates after 19th Nov :'(

Having finished the AOS process, I've been increasingly convinced that touches are really overrated. If it'll serve to reduce your anxiety, then by all means, go. However, as bbuterfly's post above notes, there's really no need to. If you go, and show them your stamped biometrics letter, I'd bet they'll pretty much send you back home immediately.

Good luck!

AJ

[silvana.toma 15]

This is ridiculous! Why do we have computers and cell phones and so much new technology if we don't know how to use it?

Why should you have to go again when they clearly have you in their computers that you have completed your biometrics???

I would have asked to speak with a supervisor, because what was the point to do a walk in biometrics then? I live 1,3min to the biometrics place...i would be pissed of if that would happen to me.

I realised lately that when you call uscis not everyone knows the same information...some say something some say something different...

[M.A.C 1]

I am almost in the same situation with you. did a walk in on the 28th, no touch since the 18th, original appointment is tomorrow

Today I got to talk to someone( other than the 1st line customer service rep). I was originally calling to have some clarifications about the RFE I received, and asked him if he could check my records to see if they have my biometrics. He said yes it shows that I was there on the 28th and they recorded everything. He told me there is no need to go tomorrow, however in some cases, if the computer doesn't pick up that I was there, it might generate a letter, saying that I missed the appointment and reschedule another one. He insisted on telling me that that was just a generic letter and it might not even get to me because the person mailing the computer generated letter , might pay attention and not mail it.

But he say to be on the safe side, to keep my stamped biometrics letter (aka receipt), and if I receive a letter, send them a copy of the receipt with the letter and it will fix the issue

Hope that helps

Thanks a lot .... Yes, it did .... I'm not going !!

[Barbara J 115]

Thanks a lot .... Yes, it did .... I'm not going !!

Nah I would not go either, I did a walk in after my original appointment as I requested another date and sent the letter as soon as I got my appointment letter. I never heard anything back so on 22nd Dec we drove 2 hours for a walk in, thank God it was slow and had it done no problem. Thing is when I showed them my original appointment letter and they checked the system they could not even find my appointment which was November 19. OMG

SO with all that said got it done and have received AP and EAD and on USCIS status I am still under review for AP and and post decision for EAD which means it is approved lol SO you tell me.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Barbara J

[M.A.C 1]

Nah I would not go either, I did a walk in after my original appointment as I requested another date and sent the letter as soon as I got my appointment letter. I never heard anything back so on 22nd Dec we drove 2 hours for a walk in, thank God it was slow and had it done no problem. Thing is when I showed them my original appointment letter and they checked the system they could not even find my appointment which was November 19. OMG

SO with all that said got it done and have received AP and EAD and on USCIS status I am still under review for AP and and post decision for EAD which means it is approved lol SO you tell me.

Thanks Barbara ..... At least I'm feeling much relaxed after reading your story .... My AP is still in initial review and my EAD was approved last month on the 15th .... I'm waiting for my AP as it's my sister's marriage on the 29th Jan back at my home ..... I hope I get it before that !!

[M.A.C 1]

This is ridiculous! Why do we have computers and cell phones and so much new technology if we don't know how to use it?

Why should you have to go again when they clearly have you in their computers that you have completed your biometrics???

I would have asked to speak with a supervisor, because what was the point to do a walk in biometrics then? I live 1,3min to the biometrics place...i would be pissed of if that would happen to me.

I realised lately that when you call uscis not everyone knows the same information...some say something some say something different...

You're right .... Whenever you call USCIS they've different stories to tell .... Plus the worst thing is that mostly the representative is not ready to pass your call to his/her supervisor ....

My point is exactly the same why do you do WALK IN if you've to worry about it later ?? But what can we do .... I was more afraid because USCIS's representatives told me that things can get worse if I do not go there on my day of appointment .... !!

[Barbara J 115]

Thanks Barbara ..... At least I'm feeling much relaxed after reading your story .... My AP is still in initial review and my EAD was approved last month on the 15th .... I'm waiting for my AP as it's my sister's marriage on the 29th Jan back at my home ..... I hope I get it before that !!

Yeah darl I would say you will have it n the next week or so fingers crossed.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The reason most people do a walk in biometrics is because they are NOT available the day they are scheduled so it seems rather ridiculous to say come the day they were originally scheduled when you have already done them early. You have proof that they were done - your stamped Biometrics letter.

Just a reminder as well that when you call the "Mis-Information Line" you are not speaking to an immigration employee - you are speaking to a call center employee who has been given scripts of basic information and has the same level of access to computer files as you do for you USCIS account. They can't tell you anything more than you see on your screen and they are notorious about providing misleading and incorrect information - sometimes seriously so. If they are faced with a situation they can't address through their scripted responses they do one of two things - either tell you to wait XXX days and check back, or preferably refer you to an actual immigration official. That 2nd level person you speak to does have access to more computer information about your file and generally has a much better understanding of the immigration process. So, on a whole you are wise to take anything you are told by a 1st level call center employee who answers the phone with a huge grain of salt. You can call the line 5 times in a row, speak with 5 different people and get 5 different answers - and there is a good chance that none of them will be right.

If you have serious concerns and are not able to get to speak with an actual immigration official (one of the call center employee's job responsibilities is to run interference between the public and those trying to contact actual immigration staff by dealing with the basic information. Some of them don't realize when it isn't basic information that is needed or make a decision that what you are asking isn't important enough for them to forward you on) - then make an infopass appointment at your local USCIS office and arrange to speak directly to an actual immigration officer.

[HeatDeath 430]

When I went to do my biometrics [per the scheduled appointment, not a walk in] they stamped and initialed my biometrics notice in several places. They told me that that was basically a "receipt" for the biometrics and would serve as documentation and evidence that my biometrics were in fact done if there was ever any dispute with USCIS about that.

I would imagine that, if you brought you biometrics notice to the walk-in, and they stamped and initialed it, you now have documentation and evidence that your biometrics were done and done properly, that you can show if USCIS try to RFE or NOID you for not showing up to your scheduled biometrics appointment.

Just the same, USCIS is a simple creature, and it's best not to do anything that can confuse it. [Government agencies have a tendency to do random, psychotic, horrendously inconvenient things when they become confused. They're like mentally retarded dragons that way.] It's virtually always best to follow their procedures and keep their scheduled appointments unless there is absolutely no alternative. That walk-in biometrics sessions are possible is a good thing, but why risk confusing them if you don't have to?