Advance Parole - Biometrics request when trying to expedite the reques

[MNguy 0]

Hi Friends,

I have a I-485 pending with the USCIS and have obtained 2 earlier Advance Paroles. Since my last one expires Feb 2011 and I am traveling to India in Mar 2011, I applied for one in Jan 2011.

My application was recieved by the USCIS on Jan 11 and I called Jan 18 to expedite the application. They accepted my request to expedite over the phone, but today (Jan 20) I got an email saying they are 'unable to expedite application as they are waiting on Biometrics'.

This does not make sense to me as the form I-131 instructions say that biometrics is needed only for Re-entry permit & not an Advance Parole.

Is it possible that USCIS made a mistake? Or should I try to get an INFOPASS and visit the local USCIS office?

Also, if I do have to go to the local USCIS office, do I have to wait for an official letter from them on this Biometrics request or can I use the email as an official request for Biometrics?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Regards

[Barbara J 115]

Hi Friends,

I have a I-485 pending with the USCIS and have obtained 2 earlier Advance Paroles. Since my last one expires Feb 2011 and I am traveling to India in Mar 2011, I applied for one in Jan 2011.

My application was recieved by the USCIS on Jan 11 and I called Jan 18 to expedite the application. They accepted my request to expedite over the phone, but today (Jan 20) I got an email saying they are 'unable to expedite application as they are waiting on Biometrics'.

This does not make sense to me as the form I-131 instructions say that biometrics is needed only for Re-entry permit & not an Advance Parole.

Is it possible that USCIS made a mistake? Or should I try to get an INFOPASS and visit the local USCIS office?

Also, if I do have to go to the local USCIS office, do I have to wait for an official letter from them on this Biometrics request or can I use the email as an official request for Biometrics?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Regards

You would have to use the official letter form USCIS to get your bio done. the 131 regardless of what you request AP or re entry needs a bio done.

[MNguy 0]

Thank you for the response Barbara - hope you are doing ok admist all the crazy storms in Australia.

It has now been a month (Reciept dated Jan 7 and it is Feb 6 today) and I have not recieved anything in the mail. I am going to call them tomorrow (Feb 7 US time) and get a Service Request. I have heard sevevral people for whom things have gone in loops after this and nothing has happened . Am hoping that is not the case for me.

My worst case plan is this - I have my tickets booked to leave here Mar 11. If I do not recieve any information by Feb 21, I am going to take an Infopass appnt and go there in person with a medical certificate of a super-sick relative (uncle) and ask them for an emergency one to be granted based on my ticket (Mar 11 - Apr 12). Do you think that will work?

USCIS sucks. Any other advice for me?

THanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You would have to use the official letter form USCIS to get your bio done. the 131 regardless of what you request AP or re entry needs a bio done.

This is incorrect. I-131 in conjunction with a I-485 does not need biometrics.

OP - Not sure about the message you got. Perhaps they misunderstood what you were requesting. Your plan about INFOPASS is sound. Good luck.

[Barbara J 115]

Thank you for the response Barbara - hope you are doing ok admist all the crazy storms in Australia.

It has now been a month (Reciept dated Jan 7 and it is Feb 6 today) and I have not recieved anything in the mail. I am going to call them tomorrow (Feb 7 US time) and get a Service Request. I have heard sevevral people for whom things have gone in loops after this and nothing has happened . Am hoping that is not the case for me.

My worst case plan is this - I have my tickets booked to leave here Mar 11. If I do not recieve any information by Feb 21, I am going to take an Infopass appnt and go there in person with a medical certificate of a super-sick relative (uncle) and ask them for an emergency one to be granted based on my ticket (Mar 11 - Apr 12). Do you think that will work?

USCIS sucks. Any other advice for me?

THanks!

Do as Harpa Timsah said and make an info pass. I was assuming that if USCIS said they can't expedite it as they need Biometrics done you would need to have offical letter for Bio but sounds like I am wrong and you need to make info pass.

I am not in Australia MNguy I live in USA now but thankyou for the kind sentiment. The floods were no where near where I came from. Good luck

[MNguy 0]

Ok, so I tried expediting again this Monday Feb 7. They came back with an email today stating:

Your pending case has not been scheduled a Biometrics appointment at this time; due to no time slots currently available at the local ASC office.

Does this mean my case will be put on hold? Or will they approve it? Please advice!

Thanks!

Gana.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

There have been people on this board who got AP approved without having biometrics taken... usually in the case that their local office is very busy and will take longer to schedule the appointment that the estimated processing time goal.

I am not sure why you are getting this message. Perhaps your case (I-485 based on work I am assuming? You said you had two earlier APs?? why is it taking so long?) is processed completely differently from a spousal AOS case. Most people on this board have spousal or other familial cases. Perhaps I was wrong and I-485 based on work follows different rules than 485 based on family.

Why didn't you try the infopass appointment yet to ask them? Best of luck.

[MNguy 0]

Thanks for the response, Harpa! I do hope they will approve my I-131 even if they do not have biometrics appnts unavailable.

I did try the infopass appointment last month and they basically said they cannot help me. They told me that I have to wait for a response from the Nebraska office. Or I can apply for a brand new one, which they might approve for 1 month or so with another $360 as the fee. I did not want to give the basket cases more money, so I decided to wait.

Yes, I have the I-485 pending for employment. And the past 2 times, my Advance Parole was approved in about 1 month.

I am keeping my fingers crossed at this time. Is there anything I can do at all?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thanks for the response, Harpa! I do hope they will approve my I-131 even if they do not have biometrics appnts unavailable.

I did try the infopass appointment last month and they basically said they cannot help me. They told me that I have to wait for a response from the Nebraska office. Or I can apply for a brand new one, which they might approve for 1 month or so with another $360 as the fee. I did not want to give the basket cases more money, so I decided to wait.

Yes, I have the I-485 pending for employment. And the past 2 times, my Advance Parole was approved in about 1 month.

I am keeping my fingers crossed at this time. Is there anything I can do at all?

Why are you not requesting a multiple-entry AP? Is that not possible for employment-based 485s? Otherwise, I'm stumped. Good luck and let us know.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

This is incorrect. I-131 in conjunction with a I-485 does not need biometrics.

OP - Not sure about the message you got. Perhaps they misunderstood what you were requesting. Your plan about INFOPASS is sound. Good luck.

This request is not in conjunction with his previously filed I485. It is an additional request. (OP states they have previously had two I751's).

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

This request is not in conjunction with his previously filed I485. It is an additional request. (OP states they have previously had two I751's).

I believe he said he had two previously approved Advance Paroles (I-131) and that his I-485 (employment-based) is pending.

[MNguy 0]

Yes, that is correct - 2 previously approved I-131s and pending I-485.

All I can say is this brings out the randomness in USCIS - they do not seem to have a standard procedure. Even when I try to call them, I get a different answer based on who comes on the phone.

Wish there is a way to voice my opinion and wish somebody would fix the mess at USCIS.

I will let you know if I hear anything more from them.

THanks guys!

[MNguy 0]

I think this is good news - I got this as the latest message. Does this mean my app was approved?

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On February 11, 2011 we mailed the document to the address we have on file. You should receive the new document within 30 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

[Emily829 0]

Big Congrats!!!! :-)

"Card/ Document Production" is this for Advance Parole or Green Card? did you go to the local office for the inforpass? thank you very much!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think this is good news - I got this as the latest message. Does this mean my app was approved?

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On February 11, 2011 we mailed the document to the address we have on file. You should receive the new document within 30 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

Yes it does mean approved . Hey, this is proof that AP does not need biometrics! Have a great trip!