Got there at 6am and there were already about 80 people ahead of us.
At 6:15 they started handing out tickets. At 7:30 we had ours.
Went inside to sit down and at 7:45 our number came up. Handed over copies of the I-765 and I-485 receipt notices (it speeds up things if they do not have to make the copies) and newly filled out I-765s (they want them).
Background: Wife's H1 expires in a couple of weeks. Needed EAD card. Had filed I-765 on sept 07 2005. Five months and no EAD card yet. Checked with INS 800 number. Found the card was at Missouri ( Lee's Summit ) service center. Since time was running out on the H1 B. Took an appointment at Detroit Office. For interim EAD. Here is a sequence of events for some one else who might need an interim EAD in Detroit MI.
I applied for post-grad OPT on Feb 14, my card was approved on May 26. I never received my card and I decided to go ahead and go to get interim EAD. Handed in my infopass appointment sheet at the door of 26 Federal Plaza and was directed to the 3rd floor. At 3rd floor, an officer scanned my sheet and my I797 Notice to make sure its more than 90 days since I first applied for EAD. Then he gave me an N number and directed me to the 9 floor. At the 9 floor, my number was called. Unforunately, I need a proof of residence in new york.