Proof that Facebook is not an IMB

[Jer1234 65]

6 minutes ago, Jer1234 said:

Good day to all..had the same question. 

Was bored and saw okcupid it was free to use and I met my wife on it..we just started to talk as friends  den afterwards our feelings developed naturally ..shes visited me twice in Jamaica already in my home country. . ..didn't pay any fee whatsoever ...and didn't see anything about IMB..where stil waiting for our case to be approved. We have a very genuine marriage .thanks in advance for the positive feedback:)

 

[Mrsjackson 300]

I saw one user who met their significant other on a dating site (match I think it was) and they emailed customer support asking to confirm they were not an IBM site. The dating site wrote back to confirm they were not and attached their terms of service which the petitioner then printed out. This was sufficient apparently because his application was approved. 

[TBoneTX 45,661]

Threads about okcupid are in the IMBRA subforum, where this thread is now moved.

[Naes 12,205]

We met initially on Facebook, and didn't send the tos(didn't get noa2 yet though) however I don't think we saw rfe asking for Facebook TOS for a long time unless mentioned a specific group that the couple met.

when it's a specific group I think it becomes more important to show that group was not specifically arranging marriages.

 

under normal circumstance Facebook is known enough for not being an imb.

 

however if you'll be sending, TOS will be enough for facebook.

[TBoneTX 45,661]

Some posts and replies have been split from this thread into a new thread in the IMBRA subforum:  "Is My Site an IMB?  [split topic]."

[Filipe Kramer 10]

10 hours ago, TinaMah said:

I am supposed to get proof that Facebook is not an IMB, but I absolutely cannot find this information anywhere.

For those of you who met online, how did you supply this?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Tina

you don't need to prove this. Everybody knows, including uscis what facebook is and its nature. a social network is not an IMB. I think you have every right to run an extra mile and add this on your form, but it's not necessary whatsoever. good luck.

[vocaledge 3,340]

I have a feeling that USCIS are aware that Facebook is not IMBRA... just a feeling.

[Curiousmind 84]

Hello, 

I am trying to understand whats the issue with IMB? I met my husband online, will it be an issue if I tell them that we did? Please explain what this thread is about, I am very confused. 

[ashort714 15]

18 hours ago, TinaMah said:

Yes. However, I was reading that even if it is not you have to prove that it is not. And I am wondering how I can prove it is not if it does not even say that it is not! Wow, say that 10 times fast!

That's ridiculous. You can't prove a negative - wouldn't the burden of proof be on DHS to prove that it IS a marriage broker? Isn't that how common law works? 

[<3T&M<3 217]

9 hours ago, Curiousmind said:

Hello, 

I am trying to understand whats the issue with IMB? I met my husband online, will it be an issue if I tell them that we did? Please explain what this thread is about, I am very confused. 

If you met through a legitimate IMB, I don't really think There is an issue. You have to check the appropriate box and provide appropriate documentation etc (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

i was asking about Facebook because I was told by a friend to be sure to print out the terms of services so the USCIS has less weight to throw around if they want to be not so nice!

i was told that they can request that you prove to them that the social media site that we met through (Facebook) is NOT an IMB even if they know it. You could still get an RFE for it...? 

Maybe this is far-fetched, but it seems as though the case worker can ask for whatever they wish 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

And since it is literally 5 pages that I printed out, I just went ahead and attached it along with a letter saying that we met on Facebook and that Facebook is not an IMB. And I attached the Terms and the fundamental principles that states Facebook is free. Also I printed out the definition of IMB from the government docs site that gives the USCIS definition.

 

i could be a crazy over thinker.

should I not have worried?

Edited February 26, 2018 by TinaMah

[Curiousmind 84]

1 hour ago, TinaMah said:

If you met through a legitimate IMB, I don't really think There is an issue. You have to check the appropriate box and provide appropriate documentation etc (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

i was asking about Facebook because I was told by a friend to be sure to print out the terms of services so the USCIS has less weight to throw around if they want to be not so nice!

i was told that they can request that you prove to them that the social media site that we met through (Facebook) is NOT an IMB even if they know it. You could still get an RFE for it...? 

Maybe this is far-fetched, but it seems as though the case worker can ask for whatever they wish 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

And since it is literally 5 pages that I printed out, I just went ahead and attached it along with a letter saying that we met on Facebook and that Facebook is not an IMB. And I attached the Terms and the fundamental principles that states Facebook is free. Also I printed out the definition of IMB from the government docs site that gives the USCIS definition.

 

i could be a crazy over thinker.

should I not have worried?

At what stage was this required? 

I am at the interview stage now, I am trying to understand if this is for I130 or the NVC process. 

[<3T&M<3 217]

1 hour ago, Curiousmind said:

At what stage was this required? 

I am at the interview stage now, I am trying to understand if this is for I130 or the NVC process. 

I really don't know. I believe it was before the NOA2, but I'm really not sure. Sorry.

[jay_sell 0]

Hi, I am new here and one of the topics I needed an answer to is the IMB topic. I met my girlfriend on filipinocupid.com a dating website. I asked them question regarding this topic in order to address this. This was their response. I hope this helps with for anyone who uses specific sites like these:

 

--------

 

"Dear member,

Thank you for contacting us.

The intention of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 was
to regulate International Marriage Brokers and not to regulate online dating
companies. There are several fundamental differences between international
marriage brokers and online dating websites. This is why the International
Marriage Broker Regulation Act specifically exempts online dating companies
from being classified as an International Marriage Broker in section 4 (B) (ii)
of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005.

Section 4 (B) (ii) of IMBRA exempts dating companies:

If its principal business is not to provide dating services between US citizens
(or residents) and foreign nationals and so long as it charges comparable
rates and offers comparable services to all individuals regardless of gender or
country of citizenship. Our company meets the above conditions required for
an exemption under Section 4 (B) (ii).
Specifically:

• Our principal business is not to provide dating services between US citizens
and foreign nationals. “Principal Business” as described under Section 4 (B)
(ii) of IMBRA relates to the principal business of the corporate entity as a
whole and not to the characteristics of an individual website operated by a
business. We are not a US company and we have paying and non paying
customers from all over the world. The number of non US men vastly
outnumber the number of US men who use our various dating websites. We
are a diversified online dating company operating a wide range of online
dating services. Many of our dating sites attract large number of users seeking
a partner within their country. We operate websites based on religion,
occupation, sexual orientation or special interest where the majority of people
seek a partner within their own country. US men seeking a foreign partner
does not constitute the majority of our business.

• Our websites charge comparable prices regardless of gender. The price of
membership is identical for men and women.

• Our websites charge comparable prices regardless of country of citizenship.
The price of membership does not depend upon the citizenship of the
individual. We are an Australian company and our base price is in Australian
Dollars. For convenience we offer consumers the ability to pay in their local
currency. The price that a consumer pays will depend upon local taxes (if
any), foreign exchange fluctuations, the cost of doing business in that market
and various other factors. Prices are comparable for consumers in every
market.

• Our websites have identical features and offer comparable services
regardless of gender. The website features and services offered are
comparable for men and women. When a user registers on one of our
websites the user creates a detailed profile. Male and female profiles are
comparable. Male and female users have the ability to perform a detailed
search on the database or use any of the same site features. The websites
provide comparable features to any user of a particular grade irrespective of
the users gender.

Consequently, our company is exempt from The International Marriage Broker
Regulation Act 2005 as it falls within this exemption provided by Section 4 (B)
(ii) of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act. Most other online
dating companies would be similarly exempted.

However, as a service to our members, we provide an optional IMBRA form on
all our websites for US residents to complete the required IMBRA background
information.  To complete the IMBRA form, logon to the website then select
Update Profile, then select the IMBRA tab. The completed form may be
printed from our website if desired. This may assist our members who wish to
apply for USA K non-immigrant visa in future."
[Unqoute]

[payxibka 10,047]

On ‎2‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 7:10 PM, Curiousmind said:

At what stage was this required? 

I am at the interview stage now, I am trying to understand if this is for I130 or the NVC process. 

I-129F for K-1 ONLY

[debbiedoo 2,339]

Paul and I met on Facebook. I simply attached the TOS.

 

I reckon it will be enough. if not, im sure they will let me know lol