Help, I just found out I'm IMBRA!

[e.y. 0]

I used the site afrointroductions a year ago to meet my fiance and when I log back into the website to double check, I see the website meets IMBRA requirements. I have the biggest sinking feeling in my stomach like this is the end of the world. This is like an automatic denial, especially in and African Country. I'm devestated. Should I just ignore this and file as meeting online? they are going to ask how we met and now I don't know what to say? it is so upsetting and I don't know what to do.

I have no offenses and this is my first time filing a k1

Edited October 13, 2013 by e.y.

[e.y. 0]

I'm really freaking out over this. I don't have anything to hide, I just don't want this ####### to slow down my visa. I want to just leave it off the form because it doesn't apply to me but clearly all those cupid sites are imbra sites. I'm just really devestated that this is going to make them view me in bad opinion

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I used the site afrointroductions a year ago to meet my fiance and when I log back into the website to double check, I see the website meets IMBRA requirements. I have the biggest sinking feeling in my stomach like this is the end of the world. This is like an automatic denial, especially in and African Country. I'm devestated. Should I just ignore this and file as meeting online? they are going to ask how we met and now I don't know what to say? it is so upsetting and I don't know what to do.

I have no offenses and this is my first time filing a k1

Did you pay when you joined the site?

[e.y. 0]

yes! I feel like such a dummy now, I don't know what to do it has the whole IMBRA section in the profile to fill out, I don't know how I missed all that.

I don't have any problems or any convictions I have never had any problems with the law or any visa attempts. I'm just scared I'm automatically gonna get denied becuase of where we met

[Girl from Celebes 588]

yes! I feel like such a dummy now, I don't know what to do it has the whole IMBRA section in the profile to fill out, I don't know how I missed all that.

I don't have any problems or any convictions I have never had any problems with the law or any visa attempts. I'm just scared I'm automatically gonna get denied becuase of where we met

You just need to tell the truth no matter how bitter it is. Don't ruined your application by conceal important things. You don't know yet whether you'll get approval or not. As long as you never convicted or abused women, I think you are just as fine as others here.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Just because you paid a dating web site does not mean that the site does not comply with the marriage broker law.

Look a little deeper.

Here are links about the discussion

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/283664-imbra-international-marriage-broker-act/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/31361-are-personals-web-sites-considered-marriage-brokers/

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Definition of an International Marriage Broker. “International marriage broker” is defined as an entity (whether or not U.S.-based) that charges fees for providing matchmaking services or social referrals between U.S. citizens/permanent residents and foreign nationals. The definition also exempts non-profit religious or cultural matchmaking services, and dating services that do not match U.S. citizens/residents with aliens as their principal business and that charge comparable rates and offer comparable services to all clients, regardless of gender or country of citizenship.

[Rich and Wen 101]

We met through a cupid media site, and I also filled out the IMBRA section. But...

We were just approved October 9, so it doesn't automatically eliminate you from receiving a visa

[hopefulls 8]

My fiance and I met on Afro introduction, we were puzzled with this question whether or not the site operates as IMBRA. We we told no, a friend who also met her fiance on a similar site had no and they have been approve and waiting for the case to be transfer to the local embassy.

Based on what we were told, for IMBRA they do background research on individuals to check for criminal offends ect. Afro introduction did not do any research on either of us... try not to worry yourself too much... based on what I have seen from NJ members, some have yes, some have no but it doesn't affect their process unless there is a questionable background....

All the best!

[Jon9205 1]

How you initially met will be addressed at interview. If it's a country in Africa, you will need to submit proof of bonafide relationship such as chat logs & emails. It is my sole paranoid opinion that someone in DHS will open up you skype, google, whatsapp or whatever and search key words pertaining to anything fraudulent or incriminating if it goes to administrative processing so be honest. Snowden revelations made it clear that all of us on VJ are persons of interest because of our foreign correspondence. I also believe that unexplained denials are a result of discrepancies between what was provided by the petitioner and what was read in the actual chats and emails when the account was opened by DHS. So it's best to be honest and error on the side of caution because if they log into your account and read about you discussing imbra or anything visa related they will check to see if it lines up with your actual petition. So just check yes and go with it. If your clean the worst thing that could happen is that it gets tied up in Administrative Review or sent back to the US to be vetted by DHS. Eventually you will get approved.

Or you could keep question 34a simple & say you met online, provide the dates in 2-3 sentences & check no for 35. When its addressed at the interview you could just state you were unsure about the law so you checked no to avoid complicating matters. I don't know what happens from there. The prior links submitted by Ebonuowula clearly indicate that the site you met on is IMBRA.

I personally think you should just check yes. This is to big a decision to gamble with. I don't think the visa officer will automatically view you in a negative light because of where you met. Most important thing is to be 100% truthful throughout the entire process.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to IMBRA Special Topics sub-forum ~

[e.y. 0]

So how do I file if we never did the imbra thing before we met on afro intro? We have known each other for over a year now? How do I do the signed written consent form after already knowing each other for a year? Sign back up for afro intro & just complete the form on their site? There no info how to submit question 35 if you're finding out imbra after you already met? I think I need a lawyer. And I don't have the money for that now. Really depressed!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

So how do I file if we never did the imbra thing before we met on afro intro? We have known each other for over a year now? How do I do the signed written consent form after already knowing each other for a year? Sign back up for afro intro & just complete the form on their site? There no info how to submit question 35 if you're finding out imbra after you already met? I think I need a lawyer. And I don't have the money for that now. Really depressed!

I have no idea what you mean in this post I bolded. What written consent ? Complete what form ? Step back from this for a minute and

stop driving yourself crazy and ask yourself the questions below:

Please read the bolded and ask yourself these questions to see if the web site is exempt:

Does the site ONLY match aliens with USC or does it match everyone regardless where they live ?

Does the site specifically target USC for match up with aliens ?

Do they charge comparable rates and services to all clients regardless of country ?

Yahoo and e-harmony etc are not brokers, what makes you think your dating site is a broker ?

Again.....ask the questions and search out the answers. You are prematurely assuming they are a broker.

You can also email the web site and ask if they are within Imbra compliance and tell you the reasons why.

Definition of an International Marriage Broker. “International marriage broker” is defined as an entity (whether or not U.S.-based) that charges fees for providing matchmaking services or social referrals between U.S. citizens/permanent residents and foreign nationals. The definition also exempts non-profit religious or cultural matchmaking services, and dating services that do not match U.S. citizens/residents with aliens as their principal business and that charge comparable rates and offer comparable services to all clients, regardless of gender or country of citizenship.

I do not think that the web site you met on is an imbra issue.

The links I posted offers a variety of opinions and questions to ask yourself what the web site you met on does and

does not do.

Since I do not know the web site I can not tell you one way or another, but give you the tools to search out the

above core questions.

[e.y. 0]

Screen shots from IMBRA statement from afrointroductions. I paid for the service & it was free for women. Its not specific to USC & I believe it might be foreign based.

My question is? Is this illegal because I didn't exchange background check before saying hello? Thats my interpretation of this #######. Doesn't matter that my record is clean and I never filed a visa before. Thats what has me freaking out and I can't find any answers online. Makes me think I need a lawyer. I hope not!

The imbra section is optional and I remember seeing it in the profile but the law states that it is mandatory. That's why I was thinking of just signing back up to do the imbra thing. Better late than never. I hope they dont deny me on grounds we didn't exchange this form before saying hello. We are two able minded consenting adults, that would be an insane law.

Edited October 14, 2013 by e.y.

[e.y. 0]

This guy said my question better than me

Hi friends,

There has been little feedback on interview questions since the IMBRA date of March 6, 2006. It will be interesting to know:

1. If USC had answered YES to the marriage broker question on the I-129F petition, does the VO invariably ask the beneficiary if she had received background information on the USC from the marriage broker?

2. What happens if the broker did not supply the background information?

3. Does the VO contact the marriage broker to see if the broker had supplied background information to the beneficiary?

4. Does VO discuss the USC's background information with the beneficiary?

If anybody who has gone for interview and has some answers, it will be good for everyone to know. Thanks.