biggish data

Thanks for the responses. I thought a marriage broker would be one of those "mail order brides" agencies.

Yeah, I would believe those would be included as Marriage Brokers as well, although all many of those do is sell the person's address, phone number, email etc. They are not actually involved in the relationship. Were as Sowens mentioned some of these places actually take part in people meeting. They set up dates, etc. etc. To me, those are the "real" Marriage Brokers.

So you see why it's a bit confusing :wacko:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-27 11:38:00

Hi, I'm new here.. and I had no idea bout the IMBRA, I've been doing some online reading but I still don't get it.

If you met online, are you supoused to answer YES to that question?

Hi Marie,
It really all depends. The USCIS's classification of a Marriage Broker is extremely vague. Most level headed people would think of a Marriage Broker as a place that for money offers personal meetings between two people, or those "love tours".

The USCIS at the moment apparently considers any sort of agency that accepts payment to correspond with someone else. So, in theory because a place like Match.com, or Yahoo Personals charges a monthly fee to get in touch with people, they technically at this point would be considered a Marriage Broker.

Because the real definition of a Marriage Broker was so unclear, I answered yes and explained that where I met my fiance was like a Match.com, or Yahoo Personals, and was a website that has members from all countries, not a specific country or region as many (I consider) Marriage Brokers do.

I've alway thought of a Marriage Broker as a place that accepts a large amount of money, and basically keeps throwing girls at the man until one finally sticks.

Edited by Erik, 27 July 2006 - 11:18 AM.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-27 11:17:00

Good question. I would like to know too. I answered yes. Of course we met before the bill even hit the house floor.

Yeah same here, and the place I met my fiance I would not classify as a Marriage Broker, it was more of a friend/dating website. But, I answered yes just to please the Gods

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-27 10:46:00

I would be curious to know how the folks who were approved by the CSC over the past few days answered the Marriage Broker question on they're IMBRA RFE.

Would be interesting to see if answering yes, or no actually makes some sort of difference in the process time.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-27 10:32:00

question about IMBRA

Andy is correct. Technically you should not receive an IMBRA RFE as the requested information is now included in the new I-129F version, but some who have filed with the new I-129F still got them for some reason.

All you'll have to do is answer a few more questions pertaining on how you met, and if you have a criminal history, you will need to provide the police records to show them.

Edited by Erik, 02 August 2006 - 10:57 AM.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-08-02 10:57:00

QUESTION: For all those approved the past 7 days.....

When did they receive your RFE response? I was touched 3 days in a row (including the one touch for notification of receiving my RFE response) after I got the notification they received my RFE, the last touches being July 13th.

Then I wasn't touched again on August 3rd, and approved the same day

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-08-06 16:06:00

Calling July IMBRA RFE's that are NOT approved yet

[/quote]

Not necessarily. There are some exceptions.

The term ‘‘international marriage broker’’ means a corporation, partnership, business, individual,
or other legal entity, whether or not organized under any law of the United States, that charges fees
for providing dating, matrimonial, matchmaking services, or social referrals between United States citizens or
nationals or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States as permanent residents and foreign national clients by providing personal contact information or otherwise facilitating communication between individuals.
(B) EXCEPTIONS.—Such term does not include—
(i) a traditional matchmaking organization of a cultural or religious nature that operates on a nonprofit
basis and otherwise operates in compliance with the laws of the countries in which it operates, including
the laws of the United States; or
(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.
...
(6) PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘personal contact information’’ means information, or a forum to obtain such information, that would permit individuals to contact each other, including—
(i) the name or residential, postal, electronic mail, or instant message address of an individual;
(ii) the telephone, pager, cellphone, or fax number, or voice message mailbox of an individual; or
(iii) the provision of an opportunity for an in-person meeting.
B) EXCEPTION.—Such term does not include a photograph or general information about the background or
interests of a person.
[/quote]

Reading the portion of the exception I made bold in Mew's post, would filipinaheart.com not be classified as a Marriage Broker?

"FilipinaHeart.com is a Filipino dating and personals site that assists Filipinos to find friendship and long-term relationships with people from around the world".

Clearly they're principal objective is to assist Filipina's in finding love abroad. I wonder if they get away with it because they say "people around the world" and not specifically the United States?

Another reason I answered yes and explained, I have no freakin clue if the USCIS told them it wasn't a Marriage Broker, because to me it would be classified as one :lol:

God I love the USCIS

Edited by Erik, 04 August 2006 - 12:43 AM.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-08-04 00:42:00

Calling July IMBRA RFE's that are NOT approved yet

July 10th, and answered yes on RFE (although it really isn't a marriage broker, just answered yes, and provided details to make sure I didn't somehow get another RFE). No criminal background.

There have been approvals regardless of how people answered from what I can tell. I would imagine they are getting to the next batch of RFE dates soon... well I hope

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-08-03 11:24:00

International Marriage Broker question

If you are unsure, as was I regarding this question, then answer yes and add an attachment stating you were not sure if the place you met was considered a Marriage Broker by law, but you are providing the information they request in cases of Marriage Brokers.

This is what I did, and had no problems what so ever. If your not sure, it's usually better to give them the information and let them decide if it is a Marriage Broker or not... that way if they determine it is, they will already have the information, so no RFE.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-09-24 11:22:00

ANY news out of Nebraska?

I got my NOA1 on May 11th, the date received on the NOA was May 9th

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-05-29 11:53:00

OUR PETITION GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess your Senator made the right call on this one

Congrats! :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-25 14:11:00

CSC Email appears useless now

Actually thats a better reply than they have ever put out before anyway :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-08-02 16:39:00

Another_Set__from_www.metacafe.com_.jpg 51.86KB 33 downloadsI was touched today. Yesterday I received a email from CSC saying that had received my RFE. I now await for my NO2. The date of my NO1 was 9 May 06. I think they have a system in place to expedite the backlog. It may be wishful thinking on my part but I am encouraged. I am hoping for a interview in September. I realise this is not likely but I am supposed to get recalled to the Army in September and go to Afganistan for a year. I hope my report date is in 2007 but do not know. I would like to get my life with Elena started before I have to leave. I have family here to keep her occupied till my return.

Your NOA1 is the same as mine, only I originally applied to NSC.

Here's to hoping :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-18 21:08:00

Same here, touched again today, 4th day in a row

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-13 11:19:00

Lot's of touching happening around here, don't you guys feel violated?

I feel violated by the process, I feel warm and fuzzy from the touches :blush:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 23:47:00

I got touched as well, 3rd day in a row. July 10th was a touch for them receiving my IMBRA RFE, then touched again yesterday, and today as well.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 23:30:00

Thanks!

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-28 11:37:00

Oops I never realized I wasn't on this list. Here ya go

-K-1 Visa
-NOA 1 Dated 05/09/2006
-Nebraska to California Transfered
-RFE Sent back 6/30/2006
-RFE Receipt Email 7/10/2006 (even though they actually received it 9 days before... grrrrrr)
I'll add you in a bit. I'm starting it on excel, easier and faster. But first I'm double checking everybody on the list info.

No problem take your time, I'm not going anywhere soon..... unfortunetly
Did you send back the same day you received or july 01?

I received it on June 30th, sent it back the same day next day mail. Accourding to USPS they received it on July 1st.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-28 11:28:00

Oops I never realized I wasn't on this list. Here ya go

-K-1 Visa
-NOA 1 Dated 05/09/2006
-Nebraska to California Transfered
-RFE Sent back 6/30/2006
-RFE Receipt Email 7/10/2006 (even though they actually received it 9 days before... grrrrrr)
I'll add you in a bit. I'm starting it on excel, easier and faster. But first I'm double checking everybody on the list info.

No problem take your time, I'm not going anywhere soon..... unfortunetly

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-28 11:16:00