At the onset of many of my Arkansas immigration cases, such as adjustment of status or citizenship, clients will receive immigration biometric notices a few weeks after filing paperwork. Oftentimes clients are surprised or worried — they often ask why immigration wants to see them so soon, or what is going on. As a Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Arkansas Immigration Lawyer, it is my job to gently remind my clients that this is not an interview, so if you have questions about your case, this is not the time or place to ask. This is simply a fingerprinting notice, and nothing to get worked up about. You will show up to your appointment on time, you’ll go through security, and you’ll sit until you are called. At that time, your fingerprints will be taken. They may also take your picture and ask for you to record an electronic signature. That’s it.
If you reside in the River Valley or Northwest Arkansas, expect to have your biometrics appointment at the Fort Smith USCIS office. Otherwise, your biometrics appointment will be at an office assigned by geographic region.
When a case is filed with USCIS, they take background information. Many forms sent to USCIS ask for biographical data, such as the G-325 or the G-325A, which is just another way of asking about your background. They will want to know the names of your parents, the names of your siblings, the names of your children, etc. This is because immigration builds a rather large database with this information and uses it to cross check what is already in their databases.
For example, if you have received your US Citizenship through marriage to a US Citizen, if you brought any minor children into the marriage, chances are they will become citizens with you. This is, however, if you have been filing for and providing information about this child throughout the process. Likewise if you are a US Citizen who is petitioning for an elderly parent, information about your parents would have been supplied to immigration at the beginning of your process so that they already know something of what you are trying to do.
Your fingerprints, as well as this biographical data, is put into Immigration’s cross checking database. Generally, this is not a big deal. This is not an interview; no one will ask you questions or ask you to bring anything more than your I.D. Even if you have a criminal background or have been caught and fingerprinted while trying to enter the United States illegally, it is unlikely that anything bad will happen at your biometrics appointment. There is typically no need for a Fort Smith Immigration Lawyer to accompany you to this appointment.
That being said, if you do have a criminal background or have been caught, fingerprinted, or had your photograph taken while trying to illegally enter the United States, tell your lawyer. These are serious factors that have major effects on the outcome of your case. They may not totally destroy your immigration case, but they do provide hurdles you will need to overcome with the help of an experienced immigration attorney.
If you need an Oklahoma or Arkansas Immigration Lawyer, give us a call at (479) 782-1125. We have immigration lawyers in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Arkansas that are ready to consult with you about your case.
For more information about immigration biometrics, visit their official site: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-information/preparing-your-biometric-services-appointment
