Is proof of meeting a cultural biased idea?

[A Wang 0]

I was wondering what do people think about requiring a proof of meeting as being a Westernized, cultural phenom? I was thinking that in Eastern cultures that with arranged marriages and such that having a proof of meeting requirement would stack the cards against cultures which do not have the same romantic conception of a relationship like the States?

Just a thought...

[kangjie 0]

I was wondering what do people think about requiring a proof of meeting as being a Westernized, cultural phenom? I was thinking that in Eastern cultures that with arranged marriages and such that having a proof of meeting requirement would stack the cards against cultures which do not have the same romantic conception of a relationship like the States?

Just a thought...

In this case I think it is more about sham marriages and green card fraud.

There was an instance where the overseas person would pay a fee to a USC just to get over here.

You could have an arranged marriage in the USA if both people were already citizens and agreeable to it.

[Caladan 19]

In most arranged marriages the couple is allowed to meet with a chaperone present; and the I-129F has an exemption for those rare cultures where the couple is not permitted to meet. (Of course, it's going to be sort of tricky to prove the American partakes in such a culture.)

It's not culturally biased, and it does prevent a whole lot of fraud.

[mybackpages 0]

I was wondering what do people think about requiring a proof of meeting as being a Westernized, cultural phenom? I was thinking that in Eastern cultures that with arranged marriages and such that having a proof of meeting requirement would stack the cards against cultures which do not have the same romantic conception of a relationship like the States?

Just a thought...

I think there is some truth to this. But in cultures where arranged marriages do occur and the bride and groom do not meet, their families do meet. The bride knows her furture female relatives before marriage and vice versa. USCIS does allow for an exemption, but it is a very difficult hoop to jump through.

[maya62 7]

Yes, all cultures have a cultural bias, as do their governments.

We all have a choice about whether we want to deal with it, or live in our non-USC SO's country, or even in a 3rd country. Clearly, at least one of each couple here has a strong connection to the US and the couple has decided to live in the US culture.

The proof of meeting requirement does have an exception clause to it, provided you can prove that it contravenes your cultural or religious rules.

Maya

[the.ronin 0]

As I see it, the USCIS has to maintain a delicate balance with, as mentioned earlier, preventing fraudulent marriages as well as respecting other cultures.

With that said, and if I recall, the I-129F specifically mentions cultural norms as a possible waiver of the "having met" requirement granted it must be explained as an attachment.

[Jasman0717 9]

It is more of a government requirement. Over the years there has been a tremendous amount of immigration fraud.