INS Fingerprinting, Part II

Thursday we left our house before 6 am to make it to Birmingham for our 11 o'clock appointment. The office building was nothing like we expected. Instead of a big Homeland Security type building it was a quaint little office in a business complex. Almost missed it except for the small Immigration Services sign on the door. We were the first people there, then two couples came in after us. They were apparently there for the wives to apply for citizenship, as the husbands were not allowed back past the waiting room, and the ladies didn't appear to speak English. One muttered something that sounded like "restroom", the employee pointed off in the direction of the door, and the lady proceeded to enter the men's room. I quickly pointed her into the right facility. My fingerprints went semi-smoothly, the technician had to try a few fingers more than once to get an adequate reading. The computer quickly computed some math based on the points, ridges, and valleys from my print on the screen and spit out a percentage of eligibility if it was a good print. I felt like I was in a CSI episode. Then it was Beth's turn. If they thought they had problems with me, they were in for a surprise. Took about half an hour, had to do almost every finger several times, and they still aren't sure the computer will be able to read them legibly. They said that we would receive a letter in the mail in a week or so with the results. I hope we don't have to go back, nine hours in the car got old quick. Although I did have my friend's new book to pass the time. We made it back to Fairhope just in time to attend a reading and book signing at Page & Palette. It's a good book, highly recommended, geared towards a younger audience, but if you're young at heart you'll enjoy it. Check it out, "Alabama Moon" by Watt Key. Here's a link to his site http://www.wattkey.com/ and a link to read some reviews http://www.amazon.com/Alabama-Moon-Watt-Key/dp/0374301840