Bad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates

[Mike n Huong 1]

I am sure that you are all aware of the IMBRA law that our government has royaly screwed up on. So here is the our situation. Our Receipt date was after the March 6th deadline, and I have been waiting to find out if this would affect us. Well is sure in the hell did. They mailed Huong her Packet 3 on May 10. I called them on May 15th just to ask some questions about the papers she needed to return, and the woman said nothing about our case being returned to the US, and said that they would assign her an interview date after receiving the papers. Then I emailed them a couple days later to ask if we were going to be affected. She received Packet 3 on May 19. On Monday night in VN she stayed up until 2:00 a.m. finishing DS-230 Part I and the Applicant Readiness form. She has to get up at 6:30 a.m. for work, so she only got 4 1/2 hours of sleep, and then go to her job, which is a 12 hour day. Her brother mailed in for her Tuesday morning fast mail, which means she paid some money to get this there ASAP. Well on 6/6/06, this morning, only 6 hours after she sent the required documents back to the consulate, I received an email stating that our case was returned to the US on May 12 in regards to the IMBRA law. Also stated that she should not return the DS-230 and Readiness paper. As soon as I saw the email I called her immediately to ask if she sent it yet, and she was so happy and said yes, they will get it tomorrow. I felt so bad and could not break her heart at that moment, to inform her about our case being shipped back to the US. Now what will happen? Will they just keep the papers she sent and hold them unitl our petition is returned or will they send her a new packet 3? I called Vermont today and I was told that they have received our case, and it is pending further security checks. I asked was this in regards to IMBRA, and she said yes, and that she could not give me any timeframe, and to call back in 30 days if I have not heard anything. This is just tearing me apart inside. I want to go see her right now, but I need to hold tight so I take action as soon as I am requested by USCIS. The worst part is not knowing when they will begin this new process. I just hope this does not take us 6 more months, because I can't handle that.

VIETNAM, you will need to put one of those HELP flags next to our case.

Thanks for listening, it has just been a horrible day

[LiszyandKenny 5]

all that I can say is I am so sorry it is happening

I hope it will be over soon so you can be reunited for good

it sucks !!

[iceyspots 0]

I'm sorry.. i hope everything can get cleared up as soon as possible so we're not left in the dark any more:(

[dalegg 143]

What is this IMBRA stuff? I was listening to the radio last week and of course the topic was illegal immigration (as it seems to always be lately). This fellow K1 visa seeker got on and was talking about how thousands of fiance visas were being held hostage indefinitely. Is this related. Damn Mike. This sucks. It's not like the process isn't slow enough already, huh.

[Mike n Huong 1]

IMBRA is a new law that was supposed to be in place on March 6, 2006. Well, of course USCIS dropped the ball and didn't have the a plan in place. They continued to approve the Petitions and sending them out to NVC and then to the Appropriate Consulate or Embassy. Well, after realizing that they can be in deep trouble in doing so, they recalled every petition with a NOA1 Receipt date of March 6th to the present. The very first case I read about on this board was such BS. A girl actually had her interview adn passed. She was given a pink slip and told to return for her Visa the next day or something. Well the next day she got a call saying that they were sending her case back to the US, and they could not give her the Visa at this time.

Here is what I get from this new law. it is called IMBRA (International Marriage Broakers Act). They are going to do a more detailed backround security check on the US citizens, because there has been to many cases of physical abuse and such, so they say. At the interview they will release this information to the beneficiary, so they know who they are going to marry. This also affects those who have used a marriage broker as well as those who have filed multiple petitions. The big problem is that they recalled 1,100 petitions, and are not processing any new petitions, because they still don't know or have the new form made for this. They have a draft posted on their website, and it is under emergency review. Everyone has been calling for information and they are given many different stories, and they are told there is no timeline on this. So anyone with a receipt date of March 6 and newer, are not being approved at all right now. None of us know how long this is going to take and what they are going to require from us.

[Kevin&Loan 0]

It is sadden to read such post. This is the first time I have heard of this new law. Loan and I will keep all of you guys in our prayers. Please be strong and supportive of each other. There was time all Loan and I had was each other. I am really hoping our “beloved” government will have solution soon.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Hi Mike,

Sorry to hear the reality of your case and its distraction because of IMBRA. Try to stay positive bud!

I know it is easier said than done. Like I've told Matt_Stevens before, be the rock for your fiancee. I hope for a speedy turnaround for your case and its return to HCMC.

STL_HCMC

[wait4ever 0]

Mike,

So sorry to hear of your IMBRA hassles. I hope they are able to clear your case soon. At least you know where your case is and why. Our case went for over a year in AR and the only answers I ever got were"your case is pending review by a CO", etc. I understand the sort of helpless uncertainty and feelings of sytemized victimization that you are going through. Be strong and continue to grow your relationship with your fiancee. Don't let the fear get in the way of your relationship.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I'm so sorry I truly hope that you get things sorted soon. i'm so sorry hang in there. I'll be thinking of you two.

[Tony_H 0]

Hi Mike,

I am in the same boat as you, just 2 months behind you. Here are some documents I found that might be useful to those who are affected by this IMBRA law.

Interoffice Memorandum To: Office of Domestic Operations Office of Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Office of National Security and Records Verification

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/lawsregs/han...crhst050306.pdf

SUPPORTING STATEMENT Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (Form I-129F)

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for.../i-129fsupp.pdf

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for...i-129f_83-i.pdf

New I-129F Draft

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for...-129f-draft.pdf

Tony

IMBRA is a new law that was supposed to be in place on March 6, 2006. Well, of course USCIS dropped the ball and didn't have the a plan in place. They continued to approve the Petitions and sending them out to NVC and then to the Appropriate Consulate or Embassy. Well, after realizing that they can be in deep trouble in doing so, they recalled every petition with a NOA1 Receipt date of March 6th to the present. The very first case I read about on this board was such BS. A girl actually had her interview adn passed. She was given a pink slip and told to return for her Visa the next day or something. Well the next day she got a call saying that they were sending her case back to the US, and they could not give her the Visa at this time.

Here is what I get from this new law. it is called IMBRA (International Marriage Broakers Act). They are going to do a more detailed backround security check on the US citizens, because there has been to many cases of physical abuse and such, so they say. At the interview they will release this information to the beneficiary, so they know who they are going to marry. This also affects those who have used a marriage broker as well as those who have filed multiple petitions. The big problem is that they recalled 1,100 petitions, and are not processing any new petitions, because they still don't know or have the new form made for this. They have a draft posted on their website, and it is under emergency review. Everyone has been calling for information and they are given many different stories, and they are told there is no timeline on this. So anyone with a receipt date of March 6 and newer, are not being approved at all right now. None of us know how long this is going to take and what they are going to require from us.

[babybunny 2]

I know how you feel. I was not part of the IMBRA stuff. but have been on AP< admin. Processing >

over 9months since our interviews. addtional security checks they say. The wait is endless.

The pain of being apart is endless too. Every day I want resolve. so I for sure understand how you feel.

[aussiewench 9]

Mike

Am really sorry to read this post. I had sorta thought that you had somehow managed to sneak through unnoticed, I guess not Anyone who had petitions recalled.......it sucks badly and I really feel for you and your fiance and all those affected. Hopefully your wait is not too long.

All the best

Lorelle

[Mike n Huong 1]

Hi Mike,

I am in the same boat as you, just 2 months behind you. Here are some documents I found that might be useful to those who are affected by this IMBRA law.

Interoffice Memorandum To: Office of Domestic Operations Office of Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Office of National Security and Records Verification

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/lawsregs/han...crhst050306.pdf

SUPPORTING STATEMENT Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (Form I-129F)

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for.../i-129fsupp.pdf

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for...i-129f_83-i.pdf

New I-129F Draft

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for...-129f-draft.pdf

Tony

IMBRA is a new law that was supposed to be in place on March 6, 2006. Well, of course USCIS dropped the ball and didn't have the a plan in place. They continued to approve the Petitions and sending them out to NVC and then to the Appropriate Consulate or Embassy. Well, after realizing that they can be in deep trouble in doing so, they recalled every petition with a NOA1 Receipt date of March 6th to the present. The very first case I read about on this board was such BS. A girl actually had her interview adn passed. She was given a pink slip and told to return for her Visa the next day or something. Well the next day she got a call saying that they were sending her case back to the US, and they could not give her the Visa at this time.

Here is what I get from this new law. it is called IMBRA (International Marriage Broakers Act). They are going to do a more detailed backround security check on the US citizens, because there has been to many cases of physical abuse and such, so they say. At the interview they will release this information to the beneficiary, so they know who they are going to marry. This also affects those who have used a marriage broker as well as those who have filed multiple petitions. The big problem is that they recalled 1,100 petitions, and are not processing any new petitions, because they still don't know or have the new form made for this. They have a draft posted on their website, and it is under emergency review. Everyone has been calling for information and they are given many different stories, and they are told there is no timeline on this. So anyone with a receipt date of March 6 and newer, are not being approved at all right now. None of us know how long this is going to take and what they are going to require from us.

Thanks so much for the information. I also want to thank everyone for their support, your support helps greatly. I wish the best of luck to all of you, and I can't wait to share the good news when it comes.

THANKS

[Matt_Stevens 5]

I cannot stand the ACLU. But right about now I think they might be the only answer here. All of you affected by IMBRA need to band together and simultaniously contact your local ACLU office. SHould they get involved with a lot of cases you will see action.

It's worth a try. Frankly, I also think those of you on AR should also do the same because the US government is abusing their power and your rights.

My heart goes out to you all. I beat the March 6 date by just 7 or 8 days.

[Cygnet 0]

Mike, I'm so sorry that you're going through this...