Phones at Detroit biometrics?

[essenjay 4]

Hi all,

My husband just got his notice to go to Detroit for his biometrics appointment week after next. We live in Ann Arbor and don't own a car, so he was planning to take Uber. The problem is, of course, the notice says no cell phones are allowed. I know the actual situation differs from office to office, so we were wondering if anyone has any insight into what the situation is on the ground at the Detroit office (it's in the USCIS building on Jefferson). Will it be okay if he just keeps it off and in his pocket? Or is there anywhere to store it? Are they flexible at all?

I've read the reviews of the Detroit office and saw that people going for their interviews were in fact allowed to take their phones in, but we're worried in case there's a separate entrance for biometrics or something... Would love to hear someone's actual experience!

Thanks!!

[juand25 2]

Hi all,

My husband just got his notice to go to Detroit for his biometrics appointment week after next. We live in Ann Arbor and don't own a car, so he was planning to take Uber. The problem is, of course, the notice says no cell phones are allowed. I know the actual situation differs from office to office, so we were wondering if anyone has any insight into what the situation is on the ground at the Detroit office (it's in the USCIS building on Jefferson). Will it be okay if he just keeps it off and in his pocket? Or is there anywhere to store it? Are they flexible at all?

I've read the reviews of the Detroit office and saw that people going for their interviews were in fact allowed to take their phones in, but we're worried in case there's a separate entrance for biometrics or something... Would love to hear someone's actual experience!

Thanks!!

Not sure about Detroit, but in Elizabeth NJ i heard you could not bring your phones, me and my husband brought both our phones, they just tell you to shut them off and if by some reason they see you using it they kick you out of the room. By the way go as early as you can, my appointment was at 11am, I was there at 8am and was the first one to go in and out, took less than 15 minutes. Good luck

[Dashinka 24,493]

I know we left our phones I the car when we went for our biometrics and interview in Detroit. I realize this is not an option for your husband, so I would take it, but make sure he turns it off before he enters the building. They do have scanners at the entrance, but I imagine if he shows them it is off and explains that he has no safe place to leave the phone, it should be fine.

Good luck!

[essenjay 4]

Thanks y'all! This makes us feel a lot better, especially hearing that Detroit doesn't seem like a super strict location.

[eric1225 6]

Not sure about the Detroit office. I did my boimetrics in Grand Rapids. It's just a random unit in a plaza and there is no security check like metal scanner or anything. We just kept the phones in our pocket but never took them out tho. The security person at the front desk was basically just checking the paperwork and telling us where to sit and wait. He did not mention anything about cell phone.

Maybe it's a bit difference at the Detroit office since it's an actually immigration building and more official. Please let us know your experience so we can get prepared for our interview there next month. Good luck to you!

[essenjay 4]

Not sure about the Detroit office. I did my boimetrics in Grand Rapids. It's just a random unit in a plaza and there is no security check like metal scanner or anything. We just kept the phones in our pocket but never took them out tho. The security person at the front desk was basically just checking the paperwork and telling us where to sit and wait. He did not mention anything about cell phone.

Maybe it's a bit difference at the Detroit office since it's an actually immigration building and more official. Please let us know your experience so we can get prepared for our interview there next month. Good luck to you!

Will do, Eric! Look for an update next week^^

[Dashinka 24,493]

The entrance to the Detroit office is the same regardless of your appointment. After security, you go to the information desk in the lobby and show your appointment paperwork and they will direct you to the proper location. For biometrics, you will go to a waiting room off to the left of the desk, if and when you have an interview, you will go to a larger waiting area around to the right.

Good Luck!

[essenjay 4]

As an update for anyone looking for this info in the future, my husband went to his biometrics appointment today. He said it was just like airport security--he had to empty his pockets and send everything through a scanner but they didn't even mention his phone (which they obviously saw).

When we go back for our interview I'll take the day off and rent a car, and we'll probably leave our phones in the car because I like following rules...but if you're in a situation where you're relying on uber or public transport, it seems like it's not a big deal to take your phone in at the Detroit office on Jefferson! (He also said it was very fast, btw!)