So, there's been a lot of questions about walk-ins, and I have a few answers:

My biometrics notice stated that my appointment was at the Oakland ASC on 9/26. I went in today for a walk-in and was rejected by the supervisor because of people "cutting the line," etc. The only exception for Oakland is an emergency.

Afterwards, I went to the San Francisco ASC and had a successful walk-in, no questions asked. Took 25 minutes.

The point is, it is INDIVIDUAL supervisors and ASC staff who determine if you can do a walk-in, not USCIS policy.

Furthermore, I was told that you can do your biometrics at any US ASC. I did a walk-in because I'm going out of town, and was told that I could go to the ASC in my destination city (Columbus, OH). I ended up going to SF anyway, but could have waited for my appointment and gone to the Columbus ASC.

I was also told that even though the appointment notice states that your application will be considered abandoned if you miss your appointment, you can come in up to a week after the appointment date and still continue your application. (I wouldn't push it past four days though, just to be safe.)

Certain ASCs also allow you to come in before or after your appointment time. At the Oakland ASC, the supervisor told me he had authorized his staff to allow people to come in early/late as long as they came in on their scheduled day.

Hope this helps. You don't need to say you're there for biometrics, as ASCs only do biometrics. Just bring your notice and an ID (I brought a passport). Turn your phone off or they'll kick you out.

If you're in the bay area and can make it to the SF ASC, I would highly recommend it for walk-ins, as San Jose and Oakland will not do them, and Salinas is way too far.

Expecting my EAD approval next week!