is it normal to get fingerprinted at port of entry?? (I-90 biometrics/complications)
I've recently lost my Green Card, and filed the I-90 (to replace a lost GC). my situation is more complicated however becuase I lost my GC when I wasn't physically in the US, so I had to get a travel letter in order to come back to the US.
when I entered through LAX (Jul 29 2006), I told them I had already filed the I-90 and paid for both the application and the biometrics service ($190+$70).. (my family in the US had also received a letter of reciept about a week before Jul 29). but because I didn't have my GC (or the reciept for the I-90) with me I was asked to file I-193 (Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa) in order to be admitted.
(note: the I-193 cost an additional $265 - which I thought was very unfair because their computer system had confirmed that my I-90 application and fees had been received already!)
anyway, after filing, a lady came and took me in and took fingerprints (both thumbs, 4 fingers together of both hands, and all fingers individually), and took a photo (headshot) of me through the webcam.
my question is: is this normal? like, is it normal to get fingerprinted at the port of entry? or were they just doing that 'cos I didn't have my GC with me?
the first time I entered through LAX (immigration visa) I was fingerprinted too but not this complicated.
I checked the filing details for I-193 and I'm sure there are no requirements of fingerprinting, etc.
and the question the guy at the POE asked me ("so you've paid for your biometrics already?") kinda made me think... maybe the fingerprinting was my biometrics??
does this mean I have already done my bioimetrics??
or do I still have to wait for their letter to tell me when my biometrics appointment will be?
if so, how long would it generally take for them to contact me?
how long would I have to be physically in the US..? I am currently studying in the UK and my school term starts in September, so I really need to know...
(also I've heard horror stories of the whole I-90 process including the biometrics taking up to 6 months...!!)
please help! any advice or opinion/experiences shared would be deeply appreciated! thanks in advance!
I've recently lost my Green Card, and filed the I-90 (to replace a lost GC). my situation is more complicated however becuase I lost my GC when I wasn't physically in the US, so I had to get a travel letter in order to come back to the US.
when I entered through LAX (Jul 29 2006), I told them I had already filed the I-90 and paid for both the application and the biometrics service ($190+$70).. (my family in the US had also received a letter of reciept about a week before Jul 29). but because I didn't have my GC (or the reciept for the I-90) with me I was asked to file I-193 (Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa) in order to be admitted.
(note: the I-193 cost an additional $265 - which I thought was very unfair because their computer system had confirmed that my I-90 application and fees had been received already!)
anyway, after filing, a lady came and took me in and took fingerprints (both thumbs, 4 fingers together of both hands, and all fingers individually), and took a photo (headshot) of me through the webcam.
my question is: is this normal? like, is it normal to get fingerprinted at the port of entry? or were they just doing that 'cos I didn't have my GC with me?
the first time I entered through LAX (immigration visa) I was fingerprinted too but not this complicated.
I checked the filing details for I-193 and I'm sure there are no requirements of fingerprinting, etc.
and the question the guy at the POE asked me ("so you've paid for your biometrics already?") kinda made me think... maybe the fingerprinting was my biometrics??
does this mean I have already done my bioimetrics??
or do I still have to wait for their letter to tell me when my biometrics appointment will be?
if so, how long would it generally take for them to contact me?
how long would I have to be physically in the US..? I am currently studying in the UK and my school term starts in September, so I really need to know...
(also I've heard horror stories of the whole I-90 process including the biometrics taking up to 6 months...!!)
please help! any advice or opinion/experiences shared would be deeply appreciated! thanks in advance!
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