FBI unable to process Fingerprint?

Question

My mom's application for Citizenship keeps getting held back because "FBI was unable to process" her "fingerprint card."

The first time she went for fingerprinting, they send her a letter a few weeks after saying just that. She went for a second time on the appointed date, and didn't hear from them for more than a year. They then sent her a letter saying the fingerprint expired, and to continue her application she has to get it taken for a third time. Lo and behold, 2 weeks after her third fingerprinting, we received another letter saying FBI could not process her FP card.

My mom's been living in this country for a decade now, she has a green card, and is a doctor with her own practice. She doesn't have any criminal records and gets a traffic ticket once every two years or so. Why are they giving her so much trouble over this? What kind of problems could FBI possibly be having? My dad's already a citizen btw.

Answer 1

Yes, it is not a problem with her records--it is a problem with her actual fingerprints.  They cannot read them.  This happened to me.  My fingers were so dry and cracked the prints were not useable.  She can try rubbing vaseline on her hands a few days before her next appointment.  She should do it before bedtime and sleep with gloves on her hands all night to hold the vaseline on.  Do it for 3 or 4 nights in a row.  It helped me and might be worth a try.

Sorry to hear this bad news.

Answer 2

after 9/11 it has become super hard for people to become citizens.  I know people that have been here for up to 20 years, like since they were 1, and are still waiting.  I think another thing that makes it hard is what country you came from.

Answer 3

Two problems at work here - one is that your mom's fingerprints aren't coming out clearly.  I've read that extremely dry skin can cause this.  

Second problem is that immigration automatically discards fingerprints after 15 months (I know, it's stupid).  

So have her address the dry skin issue, find a place that does good fingerprints and give it one more go.

Answer 4

it really is a fingerprint problem

some people's fingerprints don't come out "neat" enough or clear enough for the FBI to use.

this is their contact page

http://www.fbi.gov/contactus.htm

write and ask if they can recommend a company that takes "good" fingerprints in your area