Second biometrics

Well, just got a letter from USCIS in the mail today. I was hoping it was some ridiculous fast approval notice, but alas, no.

"The FBI was unable to process your fingerprint card. In order for USCIS to continue processing your application, it will be necessary to have your fingerprints re-taken." *sigh*

So, the appointment has been made for 6/13 at 9am. Yes, 9am. And the office is an hour and a half away. It's going to be one early morning, let me tell you. Oh well.

Only good news: I do remember the guy saying when I got my biometrics done the first time that if the fingerprints are rejected, that I'd only have to get them done a second time, as they'll compare the second ones to the first. So, at least after this, I don't have to worry about getting them done a third time.

~Lindsay

P.S. Leaving for Canada this Friday! :)

Biometrics!

Before I begin, it's our third year anniversary today! Woohoo! :)

Anyways, went to Sioux Falls today to celebrate and before we went for lunch, we headed to the USCIS office there. Arrived there about 11:30. Asked the guard if I can do an early walk-in. He directed me to the receptionist where I then asked him. He took my biometrics letter and went to the back, to ask someone. The minute he was gone, my heart was beating the entire time. I very much hoped to be able to do it. Not one single person was there getting biometrics done, so I thought I had a good chance, but you know how strict those officers can be. But, my hopes soon came true. The receptionist came back and told me I can do an early walk-in. Woohoo!

I was scanned in by the guard I first spoke with. And by scan, I don't mean like airport scanners. I mean like those little hand-held scanners. Had to stand with my arms outstretched! Once that was done, I had to fill out a simple sheet with my name, birth date, sex, hair color, eye color, height, weight, A number, application number, and phone number. Think that was it. Oh, there was also a section on previous names, but I don't have any, so skipped that. Once I was done, I was instructed to bring it up to the receptionist along with my biometrics notice and green card.

He took it from me and told me to sit back down as he entered the information. Less than 5 minutes later, he called me back up. He proceeded to take my fingerprints. Unfortunately, this caused some issues as my fingerprints kept getting rejected. He had to override a lot of them. Hopefully that doesn't become an issue later on... Anyways, probably like 10 minutes later, he told me to take a seat and took my photograph. Then, I digitally signed something.

We returned back to the receptionist's desk and he returned the biometrics notice to me, with a stamp on it showing the date I got my fingerprints/photo done. Gave me a little comment card to fill out about their service (I gave them 'excellent' across the board). And he then told me when I got my 10-year card that I would have to mail in my present, expired green card to their office.

All-in-all, great experience! Was out of there within 20 minutes, the most of that chunk being my fingerprints! Along with the delicious food (lunch and dinner) and movie, our anniversary was great! :)

~Lindsay

Biometrics letter!

The biometrics letter just arrived in the mail this morning! Woohoo!

It's scheduled for June 4th, so while I'm in Canada (but of course, lol). I'm going to attempt an early walk-in this Tuesday while I'm in the town where the center is (about an hour and a half away). Since South Dakota is a pretty dead state when it comes to immigrants, I'm sure I'll have no issues.

I'll update on Tuesday once I'm back on how it went. Wish me luck!

~Lindsay

Check cashed, NOA updates

So, yesterday, when I woke up, I had a text from my husband saying our check had finally been cashed, woohoo! Although right before I went to bed Monday night (5/13) at midnight, there was nothing there. Yet, when I looked at my bank account on Tuesday (5/14), it said the posted date of the check was 5/13. Hmmm. Well, regardless, I was happy yesterday!

But, I'm even happier today!! A little past 10am, I heard the mail man arrive at our apartment and heard the mailboxes being open and letters put in. As soon as I heard the door close behind them, I grabbed my keys and rushed out. Inside my mailbox was only ONE letter. Wanna guess what it was? My NOA letter from USCIS!!!! *huge grin*

So, I'm now "legal" again as my green card expired on Sunday. And I cancelled my InfoPass appointment, saving me almost 10 hours total of driving, woohoo!

Today's a great day! :D

~Lindsay

Graduation!

So, on Friday, I graduated from college here!! I'll be getting two degrees (they only mail them in July): Programming and Visual Communications :) Add in the one I already have from Canada (Social Sciences), and I'll have three degrees under my belt, woot!

Here's a picture from Friday:

~Lindsay

P.S. In other news, my green card expires today, lol.

Trip to Canada

Just booked my flight to Canada :)

Leaving from Fargo on May 31st around 4pm, 2.5 hour layover in Minneapolis, and arriving in Montreal around 11pm. Staying until June 6th, where I leave around 6pm, 2 hour layover in Minneapolis, and arriving back in Fargo around 11pm. Then a 2 hour drive home XD

Keeping all fingers crossed I get my NOA (aka extension letter) before I leave. I still have my InfoPass appointment with USCIS in Minneapolis. I actually just changed the date to a week later, giving me some more time to get the letter, so it's now scheduled for May 23rd (Thursday). I'll change it again for some week of the 27th next Thursday when the next week's work schedule is released.

Package Delivered!

As the title says, my package was delivered today! :)

As I mentioned in my last post, CSC (as well as VSC) have slowed down on issuance of NOAs. Because of this, I decided to make an InfoPass appointment with my "local" field office (local being a 6 hour drive!) in Minneapolis (did I mention it's not even in the same STATE?), so I can get a stamp in my passport which will extend my green card's validity. Managed to get a date for May 14 (2 days after my green card expires). I'm hoping the letter arrives before then and I can just cancel the appointment, but I'm leaning more towards no, based off the data I'm seeing on VJ.

Besides having an expired green card, I want the extension letter asap as I'm hoping to travel to Canada May 31-June 5. I would think almost a month would be enough time to get the letter from USCIS, but who knows with those people! Keeping all my fingers crossed!

~Lindsay