Hi calbearjim,
The purpose of your appointment is to update your Green Card to new
technology, and to verify your identity, it is not to determine if you
are eligible for a green card, that has already been done (they may
ask a question or two to make sure you've maintained your status,
e.g., travel outside U.S.). Therefore, you will be fingerprinted and
photographed and your i.d. documents will be checked. If all checks
out ok, there will be no follow-up, you will receive your new card in
the mail which will be good for another ten years.
"...applicants will be notified to appear at a local CIS Application
Support Center to be photographed and have their biometrics
(fingerprints) captured shortly after submitting their filing. At the
time they appear, applicants will be required to present their current
identity document (e.g. Alien Registration Card ? if available,
drivers license, etc) and any other documentation to support their
application. Shortly thereafter, the applicant can expect to receive
their new card in the mail in a matter of a few months, or even
weeks."
http://www.usavisacounsel.com/article-99.htm
Q & A Green Card Renewal Applicants
Q. Why does the INS put 10-year expiration dates on Green Cards?
A. INS began implementing 10-year expiration dates on Green Cards
(Form I-551, Alien Registration Receipt Card) in 1989 to allow the
agency to update photo identification and implement new card
technologies that will increase the card?s resistance to
counterfeiting and tampering.
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/questsans/00.12GREENCARD_QA.htm
Eaglewest-ga makes a good point in regards to photocopying your
appointment letter. Please see the following discussion:
posted by sejima
"On Sept 10, I went to have the appointment, which turned out to be a
horrible experience. I went with my family members and while we were
still lining up outside the office, the security guard came out and
demanded everyone's appointment letters (ie notice of appointment)..."
"The office finally opened and the long queue started to move. When it
was our turn, my parents and I got back our appointment letters from
the guard, plus a form to be filled in by each one of us. But my elder
sister still had not got back her form and she was standing at the
doorway. So we asked how come all of 3 of us had got back the
appointment letters but my elder sister had not. Then the guard
accused us of not giving him my sister's appointment letter in the
first place. He refused to admit that he lost my sister's document.
His attitude was very bad and we kept on yelling asking help from
other officers until the officer in charge came out, otherwise no one
would take notice of us. She wasn't of much help though, but her
attitude was better. Minutes later, another officer at the counter
screamed at another applicant who happened to got my sister's
appointment letter by mistake. So the fact was clear that the security
guard got my sister's appointment letter but gave it to another person
lining way before us. So here is a reminder for everyone:
Photocopy all the documents you received and bring them to the
appointment. If the above happens to you, you can still use a clear
photocopy of the letter of appointment as a subsitute. All they need
from the appointment letter was mainly the BARCODE. So the barcode on
the photocopy has to be very clear!
With this complication resolved finally, we sat down to fill in a form
that requires only general personal information. Then we took the
forms to the counter for the officers to double check. After waiting
for a while, we are called to a table where a lady helped us to put a
laser sticker on our green cards. The laser sticker says that the old
green card is extended until March 2006. She didn't put anything on my
passport, but she asked us if we left the country (US) continuously
for 12 months. Of course the answer is no!.."
"Then we waited for another couple of minutes and went to the other
side of the room to have our fingerprints captured and photos taken.
The guy didn't let me see my photo, but you can make the request if
you want to retake the photo in case you don't like the first one."
"So there are two points to take home: 1) photocopy all documents and
bring them to the appointment. You never know when these careless
people will lose your notice of appointment! 2) Make sure your fingers
are not damaged by any paints/chemicals, otherwise your fingerprints
may not come out clearly and have to go again!"
http://www.immigrationportal.com/archive/index.php/t-187962.html
- Does this mean my renewal application is accepted?
Yes, as far as immigration goes. Your i.d. still has to check out ok.
- Will they give me more information during the biometric appointment?
It's mainly for updating your i.d. info.
- Or do I just wait around for another mail after the appointment?
Yes, your card will arrive in the mail.
- Will there be a separate interview appointment?
No.
- Will they interview me during the biometric appointment?
Just briefly, as noted above.
-..appointment notice without any other requests except to bring green
card and passport to the appointment.
Be sure to bring your appointment letter and clear copy!
So, as long as you have all of your documents, you should be all set.
If you have any questions, please post a clarification request and
wait for me to respond before closing/rating my answer.
Thank you,
hummer
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