USCIS on Rescheduling COVID Biometrics Appointments

Are you still waiting for your fingerprinting appointment notice? Was your biometrics appointment canceled from between April and June due to the pandemic? Have you not heard from USCIS since then? Many applicants are in this same situation and are understandably worried about the state of their applications. 

Recently, USCIS made an announcement to address the delays of biometrics appointments. Many benefits applications such as I-539, I-485, I-765, and N-400 require a biometrics appointment. The unprecedented pandemic has caused cancellations and delays of these appointments at the Application Support Centers (ASC).  USCIS stated that ASC operations are now functioning at around 65% of pre-COVID levels. 

So how long can one expect to wait? There isn't a concrete answer, though a few factors are identified. Some benefit types, though not stated, are prioritized over others based on processing time and demand. USCIS states that they operate mostly on a first-in, first-out basis. This means within a category of application, biometrics rescheduling will be done in the order they were canceled. Other factors affecting wait time are capacity and demand of the relevant ASC.

Note that walk-ins for biometrics are not allowed (except for military) because of COVID-19 restrictions.

For applicants that have done biometrics for a past application, there is a chance that the biometrics can be reapplied and an ASC appointment is not needed. If USCIS decides to do this, they will send the applicant a courtesy I-797 Notice of Action. 

As of this month, USCIS states that there are still about 1.3 million applications awaiting a biometrics appointment.  Hence, though it may seem like your biometrics appointment has been forgotten by USCIS, it is most likely due to the delays that have unfortunately become the new norm.  Applicants should make plans accordingly in light of these delays. 

What to expect at a biometrics (ASC) appointment?

More than 22 million foreign born non-citizens live in the United States.  If you are one of them, you probably have filed one or more immigration petitions for yourself or your family members for one reason or another.  It is also inevitable that you are required to attend a biometrics (or ASC) appointment for your immigration petition. 

What is a Biometrics Appointment?
Depending on what stage your application is at, you may have received a notice from USCIS scheduling a time and place to take your biometrics. This means that your fingerprints, pictures, and other information will be collected for the purpose of background investigation.  After the 911 terrorist attacks, the United States government has greatly tightened its security policy.  

Typically, the notice for biometrics or ASC appointment should arrive in the mail within 3-4 weeks after an application has been submitted to the USCIS.   The appointment notice will provide the date, time and place for the biometrics appointment.  If you use the services of a lawyer in filing the application, your lawyer should also receive a copy of the appointment notice.  The appointment is also called an ASC appointment.  ASC stands for Application Support Center.

How to Prepare for an ASC Appointment?
Some applicants wonder how they should prepare for the biometrics appointment. What kind of questions will they be asked? The function of the ASCs are to provide fingerprinting and related services; they are not involved in the actual examination of the immigration application.   Only simple questions about applicants' name, address, date and place of birth, etc., will be asked.  There will be no questions about the substance of the underlying application.

Still, one must take the appointment seriously. Failure to show up for the appointment will result in the denial of the application.  One must bring a valid photo ID such as passport and driver's license with them, in addition to the USCIS appointment notice. (Note: The ASC workers usually ask to see an applicant's passport if it is available. So bring it with you.)   Applicants applying for green card renewals must also bring their original green cards to the appointment.

Try to make it to the appointment if at all possible.  Rescheduling is possible but it is not recommended as it will cause unnecessary delay.

What to expect at the ASC Appointment?

If you live in a metropolitan area, unless you get up before sunrise, you could approach the ASC facility to find a line of people stretching from the door to the end of the block, then finally enter to a room stuffed with people waiting for their number to be called. If you are really lucky (or live in Hawaii), you could walk into a quiet room with a handful of people spread out on rows of vacant chairs.  Follow instructions and go with the flow, and you should be able to get out within a few hours.