Just got back home from my little excursion.
I first went to the police department. Told the lady there that I needed a letter saying I had no criminal record. She asked for what purpose and I replied immigration. She went off to talk to someone and came back within a minute. She told me that I should go to the Clerk of Courts in the County Courthouse and get that done there.
Thankfully, the Courthouse isn't far from the police department; just a few blocks away. A kind gentleman (not sure if he worked there or not, lol) showed me where the Clerk of Courts was (I don't know the Courthouse at all with its maze of floors and offices, lol).
Once I got in, I explained to the lady there what I needed. Showed her the USCIS letter with the paragraph about needing a letter stating no criminal record. She produced a form I had to fill out. There were 3 searches I could choose: criminal, civil, or both. I wasn't sure if I needed criminal or civil, so I chose the 'both' option. Figured I'd cover all my bases that way.
There were 3 ways to receive the results: mail, email, or fax. Since I don't have a fax, that was out. I would have liked to get a hard copy in the mail, but it stated an envelope was needed, along with a stamp, which I did not have on me. So, I chose email. In the end, that'll probably be way faster to receive than snail mail anyways. Just hoping USCIS won't have issues with a printed email :/
As for the price, the lady told me I could check this box on the back of the form to waive the fee. I wasn't exactly sure WHY I was allowed to waive the fee, but if I didn't have to pay the $20 for the record search, that was fine by me, lol!
I asked how long it'd take to receive the results. She told me within 24-48 hours. I was hoping I'd be able to get it all done today, but alas, no such luck. So, hoping I'll get it back instead on the shorter end of that time frame since I want to mail this out ASAP, preferably tomorrow.
I'll post another update once I do receive the results and mail it out.
~Lindsay
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Letter from USCIS
Got home from a mini-vacation earlier this afternoon and just got around now to checking the mail. Inside was a letter from USCIS. The entire way down the hall and back into my apartment I was praying it was an approval (despite nothing indicating this on USCIS's website, although this isn't uncommon). Sat down and ripped open the letter.
Apparently my second set of fingerprints was rejected, being illegible. I now have to go to a local police department and get a letter indicating I have no criminal record.
*sigh*
I'm planning on going to the police department tomorrow morning and hoping they'll be able to do this without a hassle (and for cheap). I'll then mail it off ASAP (after scanning everything, so I have a copy for my records).
Wish me luck!
~Lindsay
Apparently my second set of fingerprints was rejected, being illegible. I now have to go to a local police department and get a letter indicating I have no criminal record.
*sigh*
I'm planning on going to the police department tomorrow morning and hoping they'll be able to do this without a hassle (and for cheap). I'll then mail it off ASAP (after scanning everything, so I have a copy for my records).
Wish me luck!
~Lindsay
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Mount Rushmore and Dyed Hair
Non-immigration post :P
Just wanted to say I finally got to see Mount Rushmore (basically the one and only thing my state, South Dakota, is known for) this last weekend! Here's a picture of my husband and me :)
And in other news, I dyed my hair (again) two days ago on Thursday. I really like how it turned out :D :D
/end of non-immigration post
~Lindsay
Just wanted to say I finally got to see Mount Rushmore (basically the one and only thing my state, South Dakota, is known for) this last weekend! Here's a picture of my husband and me :)
And in other news, I dyed my hair (again) two days ago on Thursday. I really like how it turned out :D :D
(can you tell where I got my shirt? :P )
/end of non-immigration post
~Lindsay
Monday, July 1, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Non-Immigration Interview
So, I can officially say I've been interviewed!
A few days ago, someone (Dan) commented on my previous post, asking to interview me about my immigration from Canada to the US. I of course accepted! :)
So, without further ado, you can find that interview on his website here: http://liveworktravelusa.com/lindsay-from-montreal-canada/
~Lindsay
A few days ago, someone (Dan) commented on my previous post, asking to interview me about my immigration from Canada to the US. I of course accepted! :)
So, without further ado, you can find that interview on his website here: http://liveworktravelusa.com/lindsay-from-montreal-canada/
~Lindsay
Monday, June 17, 2013
Second biometrics appointment
Whoops, forgot to write up this post the other day!
Anyways, last Thursday, I headed to Sioux Falls for my second biometrics appointment. Before I got there though, just less than one or two miles away, I ended up being pulled over for speeding :( I had just gotten off the interstate and didn't see any speed limit signs, so I was going about 40-45mph. When I finally saw a sign for 30, I slowed down. But, I guess it was too late. This was my first time being pulled over, and I was hoping to just get a warning, especially since I don't even live in the dang city, but nope, no luck. Although I was going 11 over the speed limit, the officer reduced it down to 5, giving me a much lower ticket. Still $85 though *sigh* If anyone wants to help pay for it, I'd gladly take donations for the Pay Lindsay's Speeding Ticket Fund, lol :P
Back to the appointment. Arrived a few minutes late, due to being pulled over, which made me worry a little. Wasn't sure how strict these people were. But, there were no issues. It was 9am and there was only one other person in the waiting room.
Once again, I got scanned in. The security guard asked for my notice, my green card, and all other IDs I had (such as driver's licenses, SSN, passport, etc). Whaaaat?! First time, all I needed was my green card, as it states in the letter. Not so with this officer. I gave over my driver's license (which is all I had out of his list), even though I doubt it was looked at at all by the receptionist, but whatever! I had to fill in the same form again as I did last time. Easy peasy! I put the clipboard with the form, notice, green card, and driver's license on the receptionist's desk.
The only other person there was called up and I only had to wait about 5 minutes for her to get her fingerprints done and her picture taken. Then it was my turn. Thankfully, this second time went a lot faster. My fingers weren't as problematic as the first time. Although, the lady did explain that they don't need to spend as much time the second time around as the FBI will only be using the second set to compare to the first. So, before I knew it, we were done. Only took 6 minutes for this second set! First time around, I was there for at least 20 minutes!
Didn't need to take a second picture, thank goodness. I actually liked the picture from the first time around, and I'm usually picky with pictures, lol. I then collected my things and was out the door!
And now the long wait begins (unless I get extremely lucky and my case gets reviewed sooner by some miracle). I think it's taking around 6-9 months to hear anything, so I'm not expecting to hear anything until later this year. Although, a little part inside of me will always hope that every time I check my case status online or open the mailbox, I'll find we were approved really quickly :)
~Lindsay
Anyways, last Thursday, I headed to Sioux Falls for my second biometrics appointment. Before I got there though, just less than one or two miles away, I ended up being pulled over for speeding :( I had just gotten off the interstate and didn't see any speed limit signs, so I was going about 40-45mph. When I finally saw a sign for 30, I slowed down. But, I guess it was too late. This was my first time being pulled over, and I was hoping to just get a warning, especially since I don't even live in the dang city, but nope, no luck. Although I was going 11 over the speed limit, the officer reduced it down to 5, giving me a much lower ticket. Still $85 though *sigh* If anyone wants to help pay for it, I'd gladly take donations for the Pay Lindsay's Speeding Ticket Fund, lol :P
Back to the appointment. Arrived a few minutes late, due to being pulled over, which made me worry a little. Wasn't sure how strict these people were. But, there were no issues. It was 9am and there was only one other person in the waiting room.
Once again, I got scanned in. The security guard asked for my notice, my green card, and all other IDs I had (such as driver's licenses, SSN, passport, etc). Whaaaat?! First time, all I needed was my green card, as it states in the letter. Not so with this officer. I gave over my driver's license (which is all I had out of his list), even though I doubt it was looked at at all by the receptionist, but whatever! I had to fill in the same form again as I did last time. Easy peasy! I put the clipboard with the form, notice, green card, and driver's license on the receptionist's desk.
The only other person there was called up and I only had to wait about 5 minutes for her to get her fingerprints done and her picture taken. Then it was my turn. Thankfully, this second time went a lot faster. My fingers weren't as problematic as the first time. Although, the lady did explain that they don't need to spend as much time the second time around as the FBI will only be using the second set to compare to the first. So, before I knew it, we were done. Only took 6 minutes for this second set! First time around, I was there for at least 20 minutes!
Didn't need to take a second picture, thank goodness. I actually liked the picture from the first time around, and I'm usually picky with pictures, lol. I then collected my things and was out the door!
And now the long wait begins (unless I get extremely lucky and my case gets reviewed sooner by some miracle). I think it's taking around 6-9 months to hear anything, so I'm not expecting to hear anything until later this year. Although, a little part inside of me will always hope that every time I check my case status online or open the mailbox, I'll find we were approved really quickly :)
~Lindsay
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Trip to Canada
Well, I'm typing this while I wait for my flight back to the US begins boarding.
Last Friday, May 31, I headed to Canada. I first had to drive the 2 hours to Fargo, then took a flight to Minneapolis. There were unfortunately storms going on around us, so our plane was an hour delayed to take off as we had to wait to be re-routed. There were about twenty other planes on the tarmac as well, just waiting for instructions. Finally landed in Montreal around 11:30 local time.
The week flew by. Had many hot dogs at Belle Province all week (13 in total!). Got to visit my mother, her boyfriend, and my sister a couple times during the week. Also visited my grandparents and my uncle and his wife.
Monday was a really fun day. First went to the US consulate to meet up with two VJ members who had interviews that morning. They both passed!! We chatted a little while at Tim Hortons. Afterwards, I then went on by myself to Olympic Park, where I visited the new planetarium, went up the tower (almost 600 feet high!), and finally the Biodome. Although I was by myself, I had a blast!
Left for the airport today around 3. Had to check in with an agent as the little machine didn't like my expired green card, lol. Security was no issue. One lady was sticking a little wand in my suitcase and laptop case, but not my purse. Not sure what that was all about. I was then selected to get scanned in those big TSA machines. Then onto customs.
I'll admit, I was a little nervous cause I had an expired green card. I had my extension letter, but still, I was nervous. Anywho, it was finally my turn. First just handed over my passport, boarding pass, and declaration form. The officer asked why I was going to the US. And I told him I lived there. Due to my Canadian passport, he asked me what right I had living in the US. That's when I handed over my green card. And after looking at it, I gave over my extension letter. That's when the officer told me he recognized me. He was the officer that had denied me the first time, three years ago! I couldn't believe he would remember me! So, for the next 5 minutes, as he processed my paperwork, we talked over me being denied, and the immigration process, and such. Although he denied me last time, he was still nice to me about it. This time around, he was still nice, but I was allowed entry to the US. Yay! :)
~Lindsay
Last Friday, May 31, I headed to Canada. I first had to drive the 2 hours to Fargo, then took a flight to Minneapolis. There were unfortunately storms going on around us, so our plane was an hour delayed to take off as we had to wait to be re-routed. There were about twenty other planes on the tarmac as well, just waiting for instructions. Finally landed in Montreal around 11:30 local time.
The week flew by. Had many hot dogs at Belle Province all week (13 in total!). Got to visit my mother, her boyfriend, and my sister a couple times during the week. Also visited my grandparents and my uncle and his wife.
Monday was a really fun day. First went to the US consulate to meet up with two VJ members who had interviews that morning. They both passed!! We chatted a little while at Tim Hortons. Afterwards, I then went on by myself to Olympic Park, where I visited the new planetarium, went up the tower (almost 600 feet high!), and finally the Biodome. Although I was by myself, I had a blast!
Left for the airport today around 3. Had to check in with an agent as the little machine didn't like my expired green card, lol. Security was no issue. One lady was sticking a little wand in my suitcase and laptop case, but not my purse. Not sure what that was all about. I was then selected to get scanned in those big TSA machines. Then onto customs.
I'll admit, I was a little nervous cause I had an expired green card. I had my extension letter, but still, I was nervous. Anywho, it was finally my turn. First just handed over my passport, boarding pass, and declaration form. The officer asked why I was going to the US. And I told him I lived there. Due to my Canadian passport, he asked me what right I had living in the US. That's when I handed over my green card. And after looking at it, I gave over my extension letter. That's when the officer told me he recognized me. He was the officer that had denied me the first time, three years ago! I couldn't believe he would remember me! So, for the next 5 minutes, as he processed my paperwork, we talked over me being denied, and the immigration process, and such. Although he denied me last time, he was still nice to me about it. This time around, he was still nice, but I was allowed entry to the US. Yay! :)
~Lindsay
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