First Biometric Fail in I-485 Process

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Hello VJ Experts,

I am in a tricky situation and I need some advice quite desperately. Would be very grateful to anyone who can help.

AOS was filed and receieved by NSC on 6th August 2014. Got biometric appointment 16th Sept 2014. At the fingerprinting there were multiple red spots with most of the prints being rejected. Despite the IO trying several times the prints didn't improve possibly due to me having smooth hands (though have not faced this issue when fingerprinted earlier). I have reason to believe my FP will be rejected.

1. I understand I will probably be called for a 2nd fingerprint. Any idea how many days after the first FP the next would be scheduled in cases such as this ? I ask because I have an international travel planned for two months starting Oct 11th which is only 3 weeks away.

2. Is there any way to exepedite the 2nd FP appointment. I have read forums suggesting infopass but I only see the following options for infopass in USCIS website and doesn't seem like my case qualifies in any of the categories.

- Order from Immigration Court - If you were directed to us for processing based on an order from the Immigration Judge. You must bring all documents required in the post order instructions given to you by the court.

- Case Processing Appointment - If you received a notice to go to your local office for further case processing.

- EAD inquiry appointment - If your I-765 employment authorization application has been pending for more than 90 days.

- Case Services follow-up appointment - If it has been over 45 days since you contacted NCSC and have not received a response to your inquiry. You must bring the Service Request ID Number related to your inquiry to the appointment

3. If I fail 2nd FP I understand I need to get police clearance for past 5 years. If that includes stay outside US I would need to get it from the foreign countries? And if yes would the frequent travel back and forth during AOS period cause further complications to I-485 approval ?

4. I have also read up on the a number of cases where the 2nd FP was successful. Any one with tips with to share what can be done to make the FP successful ?

[TBoneTX 47,240]

*** Thread moved from Introducing Our Members forum to the main AOS/Family-Based forum, because of the specific queries. ***

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Hello Experts,

Any responses to any of questions would be highly appreciated...Currently in an agony of confusion...

[Hypnos 6,579]

1) You will likely receive a second biometrics appointment within thirty days of the failure of the first. To try and see if the first one failed you can contact the FBI at 304-625-5590 and they should be able to tell you whether your fingerprints were submitted and returned to USCIS successfully or were rejected. Note that you will need to provide them with your alien number and other personal information for them to be able to look you up in their system, so make sure you have it to hand.

2) Any expedite would likely take longer than it would for the actual notice to arrive.

3) Only police clearances from US jurisdictions are required.

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Thank you Hypnos for your responses.

1) I actually did call up FBI today morning and was informed by their customer service that they no more support immigration biometrics related queries.

2) I agree ...expediting seems impossible anyways.

3) For the police clearance don't I have to provide it for every city I stayed in more than 6 months for past 5 yrs ? I have spent 4 years outside of the US so would only the clearance from the US jurisdiction do ? I would be more than happy if that's the case. Saves me an expensive trip outside of the country as well as the hassle.

[Hypnos 6,579]

1) That sucks.

3) I believe the criteria is to obtain police certificates (also known as "good conduct letters" in some areas) from every US jurisdiction in which you have resided for at least six months during the previous five years. Of course, you will receive a second bite of the apple for biometrics first.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Hypnos

[jptl85 25]

are you sure the officer said your prints were no good? because it may seem to you they were no good, but i am sure they were ok - otherwise the officer would have probably made a big deal of it.

i hope it all works out..

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Hello jptl85,

It is very sweet of you to hope it would be okay. Thank you ! Yes the officer struggled and whinged. I didn't want to complicate my query with details of the fingerprint experience. In short all fingers of left hand were rejected in first attempt by the scanner. The IO tried about 3 to 4 times and managed to get some of the prints accepted. She called another technician for help who managed to take a few better scans. In the end she still had to override about 3 to 4 of my rolling prints. She even called her supervisor before sending the prints to FBI. The supervisor made a stoic face and just said ...SEND IT!!!

I am praying it will be okay too but odds are against it :-(.

[jptl85 25]

let us know how you get on.. really hope you don't have to go in again, this process is long enough already!

[waitingtobegreen 1]

sure Jptl85. I will send an update.

As of today I called USCIS customer service and they mentioned they don't see a second FP notice been sent out yet. This doesn't mean it won't get sent next week or the week after. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Agree with you that the process is long enough as it is. An issue like this is completely demoralizing .

[nobbie 105]

Dont know about the fingerprinting but I do know about travel during AOS.

As long as you have AP you should be able to come and go during AOS.

I was out and back 4 (or maybe 5) times during AOS and got my 2 yr GC a couple of months ago.

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Nobbie thank you for this information. I do not have an AP yet but have a valid H visa till 2016. So I should be able to travel without issues.

You mentioned you travelled 4-5 times out of the country during the AOS period. How long was this period and how long was each trip out ? I ask because my trip is going to be 2.5 months long.

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Hello Experts,

Relying on the collective knowledge for this.

It has been 10 calendar days since my first biometric and I have not received my 2nd biometric letter ( background in trail. Apparently my fingers were smooth causing some issues in the first FP, though they were sent to FBI). I was wondering if this means I have cleared the first FP (I fervently hope so!)

Anyone has any experience with a 2nd FP notice and how many days after the first FP is it sent ? Anxious as I have an overseas trip planned in 2 weeks.

[cdneh 3,112]

My first set of biometrics were done 12-05-2011 and rejected. The second set, done 2012-01-05, were accepted. It took 7 days to get the notice.

To add, a search here at the time led me to try Corn Husker's Lotion. The thread on VJ that I read said to use it a few times a day, and then the night before with the gloves. I do think it helped, the first time I had 7 rejected, but the second attempt only 2 or 3 were. It isn't expensive either, and I got it at the local Walmart.

Edited September 26, 2014 by cdneh

[waitingtobegreen 1]

Thank you cdneh for the response! I am already giving myself the corn husker treatment even though I have not yet received the 2nd FP notice. It's maddening that there is no way to get the info as to whether your prints were machine readable or not apart from getting the 2nd FP notice.

Just to clarify though within 7 days of your first FP , you had already received the 2nd FP notice for Jan 5th 2012? That was quite considerate of the USCIS service centre .