Definition of "Marriage Broker"

[one2zee 1]

I'm wondering what the correct definition of a "Marriage Broker" is as it applies to the IMBRA Law and the RFE's that USCIS is sending out to us?

I met my Fiance on 'Match.com' which is an internet dating site, but not what I would personaly consider a marriage broker.

Just wondering how to answer the questions correctly when I get the RFE so there are no future problems with my Petition?

[vartan 0]

I personally don't know.. But first I would contact an immigration attorney to be sure.. or maybe even contact Match.com and ask them if they are classified as that.. unfortunatly many people are unsure of alot of things.. I would not consider match.com a marriage broker.. But I would think the questions that IMBRA is wanting to ask would definitly affect Match.com users because of how you meet.

[one2zee 1]

I personally don't know.. But first I would contact an immigration attorney to be sure.. or maybe even contact Match.com and ask them if they are classified as that.. unfortunatly many people are unsure of alot of things.. I would not consider match.com a marriage broker.. But I would think the questions that IMBRA is wanting to ask would definitly affect Match.com users because of how you meet.

I am also wondering .....what if we met BEFORE the IMBRA Law was passed. Does it still apply to me?

[vartan 0]

I am also wondering .....what if we met BEFORE the IMBRA Law was passed. Does it still apply to me?

I met my fiance in person in the USA and it applies to me .. it just depends on when the paperwork was received.. if it was received before March 6 then supposedly it doesn't. But anything since then yes. If you met her 10 years ago and just filed the paperwork recently it still affects you.. it affects everyone.

[one2zee 1]

I am also wondering .....what if we met BEFORE the IMBRA Law was passed. Does it still apply to me?

I met my fiance in person in the USA and it applies to me .. it just depends on when the paperwork was received.. if it was received before March 6 then supposedly it doesn't. But anything since then yes. If you met her 10 years ago and just filed the paperwork recently it still affects you.. it affects everyone.

Thanks, so......from what I understand I would just answer 'yes' to the question and.......if I have no criminal history then everything should be fine?

[vartan 0]

Your guess is as good as mine as far as the marriage broker question. I am assuming the marriage broker question is so they can track where people come from and as long as you dont have a criminal background im sure everything will be fine.

[TomSara 0]

Q #1: What is the definition of "International Marriage Broker (IMB)"? Are there exceptions? Does this law apply to my favorite international correspondence website on the Internet?

Answer: IMB is defined very broadly in this law, as are all relevant terms in this law. (Bo Cooper, former INS General Counsel from several years ago, actually drafted this law; he sits on the board of directors of the feminist Tahirih Justice Center and intended to provide broad abuse protection to immigrant fiancées and brides.)

The definition of IMB, under Section 833(e)(4)(A), is any corporation, individual, or legal entity, whether or not existing under the laws of the U.S., who charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial, matchmaking or social referrals or is "otherwise faciliating communication between individuals."

There are, under Section 833(e)(4)(B), TWO IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS, : 1) "The Non-Profit": a traditional matchmaking organization of a cultural or religious nature which offers its services on a non-profit basis under law, tyically a state-registered corporation, and 2) "The Non-Primary Business with Comparable Rates": a domestic dating service or other primary service whose principal business is NOT international dating and which charges comparable rates for comparable services to all individuals, men and women, domestic and foreign.

Your favorite international correspondence website on the Internet would in fact be subject to this law, IF the exceptions enumerated above do not apply.

Some U.S. clients and IMBs are asking if the IMB would "qualify" for an exception if they don't charge fees for the lady's personal contact. The safe answer would appear to be: only if the other qualifications of Exception No. 1 apply. An IMB's claim to an exception based in the statement that "We don't charge fees for lady's contact or any dating service", but coupled with an admission that the company generates revenue and profits, however small, from such things as advertising fees for related services such as flowers, candy and cards, Google "ad-words", or charitable donations from members, carries a risk that the "non-profit" exception does not genuinely apply.

[TomSara 0]

See Page 14 of the IMBRA Law in the attached.

IMBRA2005.pdf

[maria_b84 0]

[jangler 0]

Q #1: What is the definition of "International Marriage Broker (IMB)"? Are there exceptions? Does this law apply to my favorite international correspondence website on the Internet?

There are, under Section 833(e)(4)(B), TWO IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS, : 1) "The Non-Profit": a traditional matchmaking organization of a cultural or religious nature which offers its services on a non-profit basis under law, tyically a state-registered corporation, and 2) "The Non-Primary Business with Comparable Rates": a domestic dating service or other primary service whose principal business is NOT international dating and which charges comparable rates for comparable services to all individuals, men and women, domestic and foreign.

TomSara, I disagree. You have changed the wording of the exceptions and you left out a very important part.

"(ii) an entity that provides dating services if its

principal business is not to provide international dating

services between United States citizens or United

States residents and foreign nationals and it charges

comparable rates and offers comparable services to

all individuals it serves regardless of the individual’s

gender or country of citizenship."

An international dating site which caters to anyone from anywhere in the world to meet anyone from anywhere else in the world is exempt as I read it. However, if the site's principal business is to cater to United States citizens and foreign nationals, it would apply. It says it right there and it seems clear to me.