If you would like to request your own FBI file, if you have one, the link with step-by-step instructions are: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm
IIRC the cost was $18. But don't send a personal cheque, or you'll get a call from some FBI processing person directing you to fax them credit card authorization or to completely refile the request. Mine took like 7 or 8 months to process. It was 3 or 4 months after I sent off the request before I got the call about the issue with payment through a personal cheque, which gives you an idea of what the backlog was probably like. This was around 2 years ago.
It's not like this is some sort of insidious process where you don't realize they are going to take your fingerprints until it's too late for you to back out because there is a gun against your head. The entire process is basically:
1. Get fingerprints on a card of acceptable format by a 'professional.'
2. Send in fingerprint card, request and payment.
As for me, it's hard to go through the immigration process without proving that you're not a criminal in your country of origin. That, and I have my fingerprints on record anyways. I had a class 3 gaming license in NY state. The NY State Police took my fingerprints for that.