July 2012 AOS Filers

[Mrs. JHH 3]

Hey all,

Here is an update of my case: This matter contains information about early biometrics and issues with fingerprints:

I went to Alexandria on August 7th at 8am to do my early biometrics at a different ASC location than assigned.

Walk-in was successful and painless. The office was packed at 8am and it took me a little longer than what I was expecting after reading a lot of other similar situations here at VJ. No big deal though! People there were extremely nice and helpful. At the front desk I presented my biometrics letter and my passport. The lady stamped my biometric letter (before taking my fingerprints) and gave the letter back to me. I was given a sheet of paper to fill out some basic information: name, DOB, weigh, height, color of eyes and hair etc... Then I waited about 15 minutes before being called to fingerprint. I had my picture taken and started doing my fingerprints. Some of my fingers were a little too hard to read (my pinky from both hands and ring fingers). The machine was saying "reject" all the time for those fingers. The lady doing my fingerprints kind of gave up trying on those fingers after trying so many times and she submitted "reject" scans of those fingers. Then she said: "Let's wait to hear from the FBI"; I insisted to try to have them taken again, but she said she couldn't do anything else and there were a lot of other people waiting. Then she said that I was done and asked me to please sign an electronic field (like those we sign when we swipe our credit card in grocery stores). After that I was dismissed, worried for those fingerprints that were "rejected". I was doubtful and started wondering if I screw up by having biometrics done early and at a different location..

Last Friday I called the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 to ask if they had received my fingerprints but I had no luck. I have read that that service is not helpful since they have just the same information you see at the website when you are checking your status. Indeed, the operator couldn't tell if they had received my biometrics.

So this morning (August 13th) I took the gamble and called the FBI at (304) 625-5590 to check if they had any useful information. I heard a recorded message, pressed 2 then 9 and was directed to a live operator. An operator named Amy (very nice on the phone) asked for my A number, name and date of birth. Amy said that the FBI had received my fingerprints on August 7 and replied to the USCIS at the same day! WHAT A RELIEF! Just one thing to keep in mind: they CAN NOT tell you if the fingerprints were "good", or what their decision is, or what actions they are going to take next. But at least I know that the fingerprints were submitted and if there is anything else to be done I know that the USCIS will notify me.

Just wanted to let you all know...

And the waiting game continues...

[akihon 129]

I KNEW IT! THE FEDS ARE INVOLVED!

[VTmaple 1]

We mailed our package on July 21st and feel encouraged that I go for biometrics in under a month (this week, Aug 13th).

Am feeling overall encourage by a lot of timelines for those filed since May. Fingers crossed!!

[huongkhin 9]

you should fill in your timeline.

Just did.

[VTmaple 1]

I wasnt aware that if you applied for your AOS all at once you were waivered the EAD part of it, well i know now looool

Good Luck ALL!!!!

We had our EAD amount returned as well. Caused momentary heart attack because we thought the whole application was rejected. Turns out they just pack ALL the standard refusal stuff in there when they return anything because we got our NOA with Biometrics appt 1 or 2 days afterwards. However, we wrote separate checks for each application, so it was easy for them to separate the fees and just return the EAD amount.

I read the instructions a gazillion times, I'm an English speaker, and I still missed that information. Don't sweat it, and I hope the delay doesn't stress you

[akihon 129]

We mailed our package on July 21st and feel encouraged that I go for biometrics in under a month (this week, Aug 13th).

Am feeling overall encourage by a lot of timelines for those filed since May. Fingers crossed!!

mine's next week, but I think yours is earlier because you have an EAD involved. I do not

yay!!

[mymarriagejourney 113]

Super easy early walk in biometrics today. In and out in under 10 minutes.

[akihon 129]

so what happened with your I-765?

[mymarriagejourney 113]

I dont know yet. It was signed and sent back with a cover letter showing the receipt number and a copy of the biometrics appointment also showing the receipt number. It was signed for on Monday. We shall see what happens.

[VTmaple 1]

I really don't understand what goes on at USCIS offices regarding mail:

On August 3rd we got our I-765 cheque returned (got that bit figured out)

On August 9th we received Biometrics appointment letter for I-485 and I-765

On August 14th (today!) we received the actual notice of receipt of the I-130 / I-485 / I-765. One would've thought this one would have come first?

All of these notices had August 1st as the notice dates, but postmarked on completely different days.

I'm so glad I wasn't waiting since our mailing date for the items that came today. I'd have gnawed my fingers off, worrying! I love the interwebs

Edited August 14, 2012 by VTmaple

[akihon 129]

I really don't understand what goes on at USCIS offices regarding mail:

On August 3rd we got our I-765 cheque returned (got that bit figured out)

On August 9th we received Biometrics appointment letter for I-485 and I-765

On August 14th (today!) we received the actual notice of receipt of the I-130 / I-485 / I-765. One would've thought this one would have come first?

All of these notices had August 1st as the notice dates, but postmarked on completely different days.

I'm so glad I wasn't waiting since our mailing date for the items that came today. I'd have gnawed my fingers off, worrying! I love the interwebs

lol if you read my timeline in my signature, the exact same thing happened to me.

[huongkhin 9]

I really don't understand what goes on at USCIS offices regarding mail:

On August 3rd we got our I-765 cheque returned (got that bit figured out)

On August 9th we received Biometrics appointment letter for I-485 and I-765

On August 14th (today!) we received the actual notice of receipt of the I-130 / I-485 / I-765. One would've thought this one would have come first?

All of these notices had August 1st as the notice dates, but postmarked on completely different days.

I'm so glad I wasn't waiting since our mailing date for the items that came today. I'd have gnawed my fingers off, worrying! I love the interwebs

The documents probably get entered or OCR into the computer at one location and the information is sent out to a printing and fulfillment office somewhere else that handles all the outbound mailing. Maybe they have a different department that handles the BIO letters and a different one that handles the rest of the I-130, I485,... That office may have a huge backlog causing the delay.

I work for a high tech company. Sometime we have million emails coming in flooding our mail servers which takes days for it to clear.

Edited August 14, 2012 by huongkhin

[him4life 13]

i guess the early walk in bio really does not speed up anything, i am a prime example, lol

[mccbsimon 5]

i guess the early walk in bio really does not speed up anything, i am a prime example, lol

ya im just a little disapointed myself although its only been a few weeks. who knows. sigh....

[akihon 129]

I just want my appointment day to come already. I didn't dare do an early walk-in because I really didn't want to have to take two days off work in case the first time didn't work.