Some info about finger printing

[codex]

Here is something from the MurthyChat which may interest some people:

Chat User : Fantastic service. I received my notice for fingerprints within 2 weeks of applying for I-485. Chances are that the company may have layoffs in the near future. Is it still advisable to give FP at the earliest date?

Attorney Murthy : It is never a good idea to get the FP at the earliest since the FP could expire if the INS takes too long and there is also the big risk that, if the INS adjudicates the I-485 within 180 days, the entire benefit of AC21 portability would no longer be available, which could be a big deal for a person in your shoes.

 

[PCee]

Interesting answer!

As the answer is generic (with respect to all service centers), lets analyse it in perspective of CSC.

1. FPs expire in one year: In the recent past (from past one and half years) I didn't heard of a case on this CSC I-485 board where FPs expired for some one and has to redo FPs. Actually as I observed CSC I-485 processing time is app. 6 to 12 months and yes, it may change in future.

2. INS may adjudicate I-485 within 180 days and because of which applicant looses AC21 portability: This point actually goes in reverse direction to 1st point! If there is a possibility of getting approval a bit early by doing early FP (I believe it does)then I guess most of the people on this board want to take the advantage of it (who already past 180 days, or not worried about 180 days any way). On the other side as mentioned in the actual post if some one got FP notice with in 2 weeks of filing for I-485 then I am not sure if any attorney suggest the applicant to postpone doing FPs until 180 days (note that FPs are scheduled app. with in a months time, and if one has to postpone FPs then they have to write to ASC to do so specifying the reason). Also I am not sure to what extent it is legal, if some one purposefully keeps extending FP date and wants to use AC21 portability saying INS delayed their case beyond 180 days (as doing FPs is prerequisite for I-485 approval)!

Yes, if some one is expecting some layoffs and did FP quite early then it it is possible that with in 180 days INS may send RFE (bad outcome for the applicant -looses AC21 portability), or approval (the best outcome for the applicant, if layoff occurs after approval, the applicant is home free).

-PCee