Missed biometrics, let the nightmare begin

[Nibake 4]

We waited for the 90 days prior window to open. We carefully prepared and sent the removal of conditions packet before travelling to immigrant's home country for a wedding celebration (3 years of waiting to finally hold a wedding in her country). By some twisted fate, the USCIS decided to act with lightning speed and schedule an appointment in the short term. I got back and received the mail 2 days after the appointment had passed. Since then, we have called 3 times, I have uploaded a letter as additional evidence to our case, and we have gotten absolutely nowhere, all under constant threat of our application being discarded.

 

The first call, we were given a reference number and told to wait for the rescheduling. It never happened. Our second call, the gal was a little more helpful. Unfortunately, a few days lot we got an email saying we could reschedule online, as if this were a solution. It' wasn't, of course, as we cannot reschedule online. We called back to try again, since the canned solution does us no good, and guess what? We can't make another request for an additional 30 days. I guess it wouldn't be a "visa journey" without some mind-numbing incompetence strewn along the way.

 

For those interested, this link covers important details about rescheduling, as well as good cause. If you want to go a step further, you can even find a pdf of the policy manual explaining what is considered good cause:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-launches-online-rescheduling-of-biometrics-appointments

 

At this point we are wondering if we can just get to the time where we can apply for citizenship since that is easier than trying to re-schedule biometrics.

[OldUser 6,608]

47 minutes ago, Nibake said:

At this point we are wondering if we can just get to the time where we can apply for citizenship since that is easier than trying to re-schedule biometrics.

No, it's not going to be easier.

You cannot get N-400 approved without I-751 approved. And I-751 will likely get denied if you don't get biometrics taken.

 

What you need to do (my opinion only):

 

* Attend the address stated in biometrics letter and try to get biometrics done after explaining your situation

* Write a letter to USCIS explaing when and how you tried submitting biometrics and whether you were successul or not

 

Written communication (certified mail) can be used for later if USCIS asks for proof of you ever contacting them.

 

Your I-751 can still be saved, at least it's worth trying. Otherwise, if it gets denied, you'll have to file it again, e.g. pay and wait again.

Edited October 11, 2023 by OldUser

[mindthegap 2,589]

As soon as you got back and realised you had missed it, you should have

a) posted here

b) immediately gone and done it, which is what you would have been advised to do had you posted immediately. If you aren't allowed to do it, you are in exactly the same position you are currently, but at least you tried. If they do let you get it done, you have the receipt from doing it. 

 

Biometrics appointments are some of the most relaxed part of the process - once you have an appointment scheduled, you can generally get away with doing it early as a walk in, or slightly late, as long as it is done (providing it wasn't waived). 

 

1 hour ago, Nibake said:

At this point we are wondering if we can just get to the time where we can apply for citizenship since that is easier than trying to re-schedule biometrics.

 

You would still  have to have an I-751 approved....so no, it isn't easier in any way, or some magical shortcut to avoid doing it. 

 

Bottom line, you have to either get it done for this application, or await the denial and refile an I-751 from scratch and you will have to get it done then (if it isn't waived). 

Edited October 11, 2023 by mindthegap

[ghostinthemachine 75]

I agree with the above. Go to wherever your biometrics were scheduled with your letter and whatever IDs you need to get into the building asap.

 

Explain the situation calmly and if necessary plead a bit so they will let you do a walk-in after the fact. It wouldn't even surprise me if they will have seen this same exact situation before either. Hopefully you'll deal with someone with a good amount of empathy and that's sorted. If not, you can at least say you tried and keep badgering USCIS for a rescheduled appt.

[Verrou 1,962]

come before they open, ask nicely to do biometric either in ASC or local FO.

[Pinkrlion 2,715]

Do a walk in

[JKLSemicolon 411]

22 hours ago, Nibake said:

We waited for the 90 days prior window to open. We carefully prepared and sent the removal of conditions packet before travelling to immigrant's home country for a wedding celebration (3 years of waiting to finally hold a wedding in her country). By some twisted fate, the USCIS decided to act with lightning speed and schedule an appointment in the short term. I got back and received the mail 2 days after the appointment had passed. Since then, we have called 3 times, I have uploaded a letter as additional evidence to our case, and we have gotten absolutely nowhere, all under constant threat of our application being discarded.

You mentioned uploading additional evidence so I assume you have access to the case on myUSCIS. Hopefully in the future you can check that more frequently since, for us at least, any notice from USCIS has appeared online there at least 1-2 weeks before any paper notices came in the mail.

 

Every location is different but here the staff at the local Application Support Center was friendly and seemed to not be very busy during my wife’s biometrics appointment, so I would echo the recommendation of showing up and trying to talk to someone there.

 

[TexasRafael 134]

You are making a mountain out of a mole hill.  Just take your letter of the appointment and go there and get it done.  I highly doubt they will give you any hassle.  I learned that here, even when you have the appointment, you can walk in much earlier and they let you in and do it.  Takes a whole of 10 minutes.  

[TBoneTX 45,259]

A noncontributory post has been removed.

[Nibake 4]

A lot of posts saying go try, which is fine. But it's ironic that multiple other posts on this forum on this subject say "don't go in" and "you won't get in for an appointment." But yeah, it's easy to say so on the internet since it costs the commenter nothing if we aren't able to get in.

[OldUser 6,608]

5 minutes ago, Nibake said:

A lot of posts saying go try, which is fine. But it's ironic that multiple other posts on this forum on this subject say "don't go in" and "you won't get in for an appointment." But yeah, it's easy to say so on the internet since it costs the commenter nothing if we aren't able to get in.

It's up to you which advice you take.

You may try, or you may simply give up and let the case slide into denial.

It's your case on the line, you may as well pick your priorities.

Edited October 17, 2023 by OldUser

[Nibake 4]

4 minutes ago, OldUser said:

You may try, or you may simply give up and let the case slide into denial.

 Did you read my initial post? I'm only following the instructions provided in the letter and online by calling the number provided looking for help. 

[OldUser 6,608]

7 minutes ago, Nibake said:

 Did you read my initial post? I'm only following the instructions provided in the letter and online by calling the number provided looking for help. 

Yes, I read it. The truth is this number rarely helps, and this is the conclusion many on VJ came to after going through this personally or reading many similar threads.

[mindthegap 2,589]

16 hours ago, Nibake said:

A lot of posts saying go try, which is fine. But it's ironic that multiple other posts on this forum on this subject say "don't go in" and "you won't get in for an appointment." But yeah, it's easy to say so on the internet since it costs the commenter nothing if we aren't able to get in.

 

I've had four biometrics appointments...and I've done walk ins for ALL of them. 

 

Conversely, I've had many many more dealings with USCIS than most on here, and their 'official' methods - including writing a personally addressed letter to the director of the field office, sent by overnight fedex - are are an absolute joke and are often ignored. 

 

People tell you this stuff for a reason, based on their own personal experience, built up through an accumulated knowledge that is in effect passed down from person to person on here, immigration generation to generation perhaps.

The advice on here is also free, and the vast majority of the time, very accurate.

Use it, or don't. But if you post with that attitude, don't expect people to help you out much more. 

[Nibake 4]

You have "I-751 nightmare" as part of your signature, but somehow my attitude here is bad? Not sure how you determined that. 

 

 

 

 

Also, advice on this forum which jives with the official instructions, yes, I came on here and read the top posts immediately when the problem arose:

 

I guess my attitude problem is posting factual information?

Quote

17 hours ago, Nibake said:

A lot of posts saying go try, which is fine. But it's ironic that multiple other posts on this forum on this subject say "don't go in" and "you won't get in for an appointment." But yeah, it's easy to say so on the internet since it costs the commenter nothing if we aren't able to get in.