IMBRA letters

[Nik 0]

Though no where near as cool as the other letter, this is the one I have sent to my state senators.

Nik

Dear Senator,

I am writing to you regarding IMBRA, the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act.

I have recently applied for a K-1 visa; my application was received in early April. I have recently learned that IMBRA was signed into law in January and became effective on March 6. During my research on the K-1 visa, I never saw anything about IMBRA on USCIS. (I started the process after the President signed the bill)

This law seems to have stopped the processing of K-1 and K-3 visa's across the country. Since no one was informed about what the new regulations would be, we were unable to comply. I have called USCIS to find out what I need to do and been told that they aren't sure. (The representative didn't know what IMBRA was; I had to read the state department information to her)

I find it ironic that we are currently embroiled in a debate about illegal aliens being granted amnesty in this country, when U.S. citizens are unable to bring their loved ones here by legal means.

I do not think asking petitioners to go through a background check is a bad thing, I totally support it. What I do not support is the way this law has been administered. If petitioners are going to be required to take extra steps to bring their loved ones here, can we be informed as to what those steps are within a realistic time frame for compliance? Should there not be an entity we can contact to receive correct, up to date information?

So as thing now stand, those of us who have applied for K-1 or K-3 visas with a receipt date after March 6th are in the dark. We don't know what to do, whom we can talk to, or what is happening to our petitions. All we know is that we are that much further from being united with those we love.

I implore you to please find some information that I can use and share with others in my situation. Knowing who we can call for clear accurate information would be great, knowing what we need to turn in to make this process faster and smoother would be even better.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[simple_male 1]

Nice letter. DHS only recalled K-1 applications so far. DHS memo says that they have not recalled K3/K-4. I hope, this issue gets resolved very quickly for all K-1 petitioners and beneficiaries.

Edited May 26, 2006 by simple_male

[Nik 0]

Nice letter. DHS only recalled K-1 applications so far. DHS memo says that they have not reccalled K3/K-4. I hope, this issue gets resolved very quickly for all K-1 petitioners and beneficiaries.

I figured it didn't hurt to say K-1 and K-3, if they think it affect more people they may act faster

[simple_male 1]

Nice letter. DHS only recalled K-1 applications so far. DHS memo says that they have not reccalled K3/K-4. I hope, this issue gets resolved very quickly for all K-1 petitioners and beneficiaries.

I figured it didn't hurt to say K-1 and K-3, if they think it affect more people they may act faster

I agree. I wish you food luck with the process. I think, this type of letter shoule be sent to the President, Secretary of state too.

[yogib37 3]

Nice letter. DHS only recalled K-1 applications so far. DHS memo says that they have not reccalled K3/K-4. I hope, this issue gets resolved very quickly for all K-1 petitioners and beneficiaries.

I figured it didn't hurt to say K-1 and K-3, if they think it affect more people they may act faster

I agree. I wish you food luck with the process. I think, this type of letter shoule be sent to the President, Secretary of state too.

I dont think the President will even be able to read and understand it. He has never veto in his 1st term or second term a bill. I dont think he even reads it, Just signs it and gives that Monkey look on his face.

I do have a problem with this law. Why are people on american dating sites required not to abid by this law? why only american men who want a wife from a differnt country? I bet there is a lot of men who are on dating sites seeking american women who will abused them or have criminal records or a pedifiles and hurt childern. why are they not required to submit to criminal background checks. I dont have one but I dont want the GOVERMENT to keep prying into my personal life and my choices. This is just other way for them to spy on the american people.

[Larry and Maria 0]

I totally agree with all that's been said here.

I hope those who've been affected have a chance to read this a act.

Thanks for putting this up; the letter is EXCELLENT and well crafted.

Congratulations!

Seems like it should go to the Representative and both State Senators.

The Secretary of State is also a very good idea.

Although it costs money, as I've said before, some years ago a builder told a group of us homeowner of which he belonged that FedEx is what gets the officicals attention -- not UPS or USPS.

And the follow up to all this is for us to elect other people; somehow we've got to get these self-serving servants back to civil life from their uncivil, unserving life for which we're paying through the nose along with future generations' debts!!

Don't be cool: demand your rights! GET PISSED OF AND LET THEM KNOW!!

The time's past for the decent middle class to be nice ... regardless ....

[carldecolorado 0]

I agree, I hope everyone on this site follow suit and write thier senators and congressmen and explain the frustration all of us feel right now. Maybe if enough of us complain we will finally get some answers.

[Karen_L 1]

Nice letter. DHS only recalled K-1 applications so far. DHS memo says that they have not reccalled K3/K-4. I hope, this issue gets resolved very quickly for all K-1 petitioners and beneficiaries.

I figured it didn't hurt to say K-1 and K-3, if they think it affect more people they may act faster

I agree. I wish you food luck with the process. I think, this type of letter shoule be sent to the President, Secretary of state too.

I dont think the President will even be able to read and understand it. He has never veto in his 1st term or second term a bill. I dont think he even reads it, Just signs it and gives that Monkey look on his face.

I do have a problem with this law. Why are people on american dating sites required not to abid by this law? why only american men who want a wife from a differnt country? I bet there is a lot of men who are on dating sites seeking american women who will abused them or have criminal records or a pedifiles and hurt childern. why are they not required to submit to criminal background checks. I dont have one but I dont want the GOVERMENT to keep prying into my personal life and my choices. This is just other way for them to spy on the american people.

You make a good point about American men abusing American women. When two people legally residing in the US wish to get married, they don't have to have background checks so that the bride can know whether the groom has a violent past. As far as the government is concerned, she should just hope that he isn't a violent person and it's her choice to marry him or not based on what he tells her and what she knows about him. And many times, even when a husband is abusive and the wife is afraid for her life, the authorities only offer the most minimal protection possible.

This law seems less and less good-natured and concerned for women's well-being as the days pass -- I think it's more about making sure that women don't come into the country to get married, get abused by their husbands, leave the husbands and, without anywhere to go, become public charges. If the government wants to protect women from abuse, they should strengthen laws against such violence and initiate more support programs and battered women's shelters.

Putting immigrant petitioners through weeks of background checks seems even more pointless when you consider that MANY women would probably chose to take the risk if it means they can come to the US. I wonder what will happen the first time a petitioner is checked and his record has a whole history of violent behavior and the government informs the beneficiary and she decides she doesn't care and comes here anyway and when he IS absuve towards her, she seeks help? Will she have to leave the country because she knew full well what she was getting herself into and chose to get married anyway? Will she be allowed to stay even though she is no longer with him?

[VSSKS 0]

Nice letter. I will also send one to my Senator.

I am wondering if anyone has enquired with CSC (we have their email address!) whether they have received directives about how to deal with applications falling under IMBRA. Although I think it will most likely be a worthless attempt, it wouldn't hurt.

I remember some petitions having NOA1 dates after Mar 6th were touched last week... probably those guys could enquire if they are with CSC.

[stang_01 0]

I have another question regarding this IMBRA I haven't seen much other than Info that states, If you meet through the internet,a dating company/services, on-line bride companies you have to submit back ground info. What if you actually met your soon to be spouse in her native country the old fashion way and not over the Internet or the other services and you have been living together for 6 months and longer does the Law still apply? I have started a letter that I will be sending to my state Gov., Senator, and to Department of HLS.

Any input?

[ashp 0]

I have another question regarding this IMBRA I haven't seen much other than Info that states, If you meet through the internet,a dating company/services, on-line bride companies you have to submit back ground info. What if you actually met your soon to be spouse in her native country the old fashion way and not over the Internet or the other services and you have been living together for 6 months and longer does the Law still apply? I have started a letter that I will be sending to my state Gov., Senator, and to Department of HLS.

Any input?

Furthermore to this is there actually a decent guide to what the hell IMBRA is? The stuff I'm reading online is just focused on mail order brides.

I'm from the UK and I'll be marrying an American woman. I'm trying to find out exactly how this will effect our K-1 application but all the stuff I've found is just focused on the wrong stuff.

(I met her online, but not via any sort of service; does that effect anything?)

[ppboo 0]

Doesn't matter how you meet... at this point as long as your K1 I-129F submitted after Mar 6 2006, your case will be impacted by IMBRA!

Take a look at this http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13584

Edited May 27, 2006 by ppboo

[ashp 0]

Doesn't matter how you meet... at this point as long as your K1 I-129F submitted after Mar 6 2006, your case will be impacted by IMBRA!

Thanks for that, it's good to know. We're not able to file for another 18 days or so, so hopefully by then some of this mess will be resolved and the forms updated so I know what I'm supposed to be doing. I was going to prefill out all the forms ready for when the divorce certificate arrives, but I'll have to wait for now.

From what I can see IMBRA means they will run background checks on both of us and make sure we are aware of any past history we could have? Or, am I mistaken and it's just a check on her as she's the USC? I already have to get police certs from my country, after all.

Thanks guys, just nervous about the whole thing!

[ashp 0]

Doesn't matter how you meet... at this point as long as your K1 I-129F submitted after Mar 6 2006, your case will be impacted by IMBRA!

Sorry to reply twice, but all the language I've seen in the IMBRA case says it effects american _men_ applying to marry outside. Is this just bad wording and it really applies to both? She's (obviously) female, so would this still apply?

(I know we'll still be impacted by the backlog, but once that clears..)

Edited May 27, 2006 by ashp

[Ladylethal 12]

Although the IMBRA law may seem like it would only affect particular cases that met through a broker, they'll be requiring those checks from EVERY single K1 petitioner.