ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IMBRA Special TopicsDoes having an Aggravated Assault on record require Adam Walsh Act?
My question is simple, but i can't seem to find the appropriate answer on here. I got an aggravated assault charge 7 years ago, was charged as a misdemeanor and I went through 18 weeks of Anger Management. Will i have to file a Adam Walsh Act form to proceed with my initial I-129F packet? I do not want to have an RFE, so what should i do? Also, is it required to pull criminal history and add to the I-129F regardless if my crime needs it? Any help would be very good. Thanks.
charleywillettNot TellingRussia2012-11-23 11:35:00
IMBRA Special Topicsimbra
Absolutely .... Get another lawyer fast
CEJARRETMaleThailand2012-06-13 12:37:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAdam Walsh Act?
Im in the same situation...we r from New Hampshire and applied in August but only got the receipt notices 9 weeks later because Chicago Lockbox lost our application. We got a receipt notice last week and 2 days later a biometrics appt scheduled on 10/31/12 next week and today just got a RFE because my husband is a sex offender and we fell under the Adam Walsh Act. He was 18 and had sex with a 16 year old girl that told him she was 18, he also took a bargain to plea guilty and did 2 years in prison. That happened 18 years ago. We've been married for 2 years now and he obviously poses no threat to me or anyone else his crime was just being dum enough to believe what that girl said. They wanna make sure that he poses not threat to me or society. How can we provide such proofs?
Is it better if we involve the Human Rights Comission or ACLU or we just provide them the evidence and wait for it...we r so worried...please help us
Jana and NateNot TellingBrazil2012-10-25 13:02:00
IMBRA Special TopicsGot worst Valentine ever - USCIS intent to deny
with whatever yer submitting -
also include a letter simply asking for a waiver from IMBRA.

Who knows? things could happen in yer favor.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2012-02-16 13:00:00
IMBRA Special TopicsGot worst Valentine ever - USCIS intent to deny
Basically, you needed to file a request for IMBRA waiver with the current I-129F petition submittal.

It's a written letter, asking for the waiver.

Sounds like you not include that in yer petition submittal.

---
Unsure about the appeal process, really....
DarnellMaleChina2012-02-14 10:51:00
IMBRA Special TopicsADAM WALSH ACT/IMBRA/SEX OFFENDER/K1 VISA
QUOTE (dwainsrockin @ Sep 25 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
if you are a SEX-OFFENDER, you fall under the ADAM WALSH ACT, you have filed a K1 VISA I-129F petition and you are waiting for the USCIS to make a decision on your case then tell us how long have you been waiting?

1. DWAINSROCKIN July 2007


payxibkaMaleUkraine2009-09-25 13:06:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
Caladan,

Yes, it is a hard call. People have been known to file false police reports and take other actions to obtain the necessary documentation. Sometimes such people go to sufficient extremes to make their claim believable, sometimes they do not. There have been claims of such activities right her on VJ (which allows us to take the question to the next level of who's lying and who isn't). So, I have no inclination as to what the breakdown between true and false claims is, I can only wonder.

I agree that implementation was a mess, particularly with petition approvals having been issued prematurely by VSC. I think most of that mess has been cleared up, although not all, and going forward there will be fewer problems but a wicked-bad public impression to be lived down.

Yodrak

That's a hard call. Is the rise in cases because women are lying, or because there was no well-publicized option for an abused woman who didn't speak English well who believed she'd be deported if she left? I'm inclined towards the latter for no terribly good reason except that every other damn thing in this process has to be documented, so it seems that unlikely that someone could claim abuse without something like a police report.

Either way, I'm glad IMBRA was passed, and I don't mind the extra question on the form, but it was implemented horribly. To get the implementation fixed is going to require negative public attention, but that's not going to happen if it's perceived as just a problem for mail order bride seekers.

.....


YodrakNot Telling02006-10-17 14:57:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
daresie,

Thanks for bringing the article to our attention. I thought it was well balanced, although so brief as to only touch superficially on a few points. Hence the complaints against it by some posters.

The sentence that has got me wondering is this one, "In 1998, fewer than 2,500 foreign women applied to become permanent residents under the Violence Against Women Act, which allows abused wives to apply for residence without the support of their husbands. In the fiscal year that ended in September, 9,500 applied. " I wonder how much of the dramatic increase in VAWA claims is due to real abuse and how much is due to the fact that a claim of abuse can improve the odds of getting someone a green card who wouldn't otherwise qualify?

I'm sure that much of the increase is due to true abuse, but I also suspect that much of the increase is driven by opportunism, so the statistic - and the basis for IMBRA - is inflated to some extent.

Yodrak

Saw this article about IMBRA in the NY Times today.

http://tinyurl.com/y5xo7r

Unfortunately it doesn't discuss enough the decision to invoke the IMBRA legislation on cases already approved months ago, and the delays that this caused. I feel the IMBRA law makes sense, but it was it's application that affected so many people.

It's still interesting reading though, although there's an assumption that it is only men that petition for foreign fiancee's. I came over on a K1 to marry my fiancee, and I'm a guy, and it wasn't 'mail order'.


Edited by Yodrak, 17 October 2006 - 01:59 PM.

YodrakNot Telling02006-10-17 13:56:00
IMBRA Special TopicsADAM WALSH ACT/IMBRA/SEX OFFENDER/K1 VISA
QUOTE (dutchmatt @ Sep 25 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You're still well with in the USCIS timelines


2 years 3 months is within the timelines?
Penguin_ieFemaleIreland2009-09-26 05:38:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA
You probably will not be denied, unless the crimes fall under the Adam Walsh Act. You will need to disclose all crimes to both USCIS and your fiance, as she may be asked about them at interview.
Penguin_ieFemaleIreland2012-03-09 06:43:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times



"“It all started with women’s lib,” said Sam Smith, a former salesman of insurance and mutual funds, who founded I Love Latins in Houston six years ago. “Guys are sick and tired of the North American me, me, me attitude.’ ”"

You know, just once, I wish they'd profile a couple that met while studying abroad or on Yahoo, because quite frankly, no one cares if some white, middle-aged bitter divorcée gets his woman whom the translator assures loves him here on time. He's not a sympathetic character, and frankly, the article reads like anyone upset about IMBRA is some loser whiner who wants a foreign bride because if she leaves him, she won't be able to get his money.



I totally agree with you. That article completely rubbed me the wrong way. We had to wait 5 months for our NOA2 because of the IMBRA backlog! and for what? I have nothing to do with marriage brokers or internet dating, in fact I'm a woman applying for a man. I don't think people who actually met their significant other in real life should be categorized with men who troll for women on the internet. I wish they would have profiled someone whose visa was innocently held up because of it.


Hmmm, sounds like ignorant bias and prejudice to me. I met my fiance on the internet and I take offense to your attitude.

I thought same. I met my now hubby on the internet and he (USC) certainly didn't troll on the internet for me. Real life :unsure: I thought mine was :cry: The internet is just another medium, broadening the pool.
aussiewenchFemaleAustralia2006-10-17 22:07:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDoes IMBRA Require you to Disclose Previously Annulled Marriage?
Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to IMBRA Special Topics forum.
Ryan HMaleChina2012-04-01 17:35:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Waiver for second K1 is less than 2 years

Love The City of Gentle People. I have a really good fiancee now, unlike the last one who was materialistic, selfish and had a meddling American Kano Brother-In-Law, who convinced her to leave and take care of his sick mother in Redwood CIty, CA. I believe is was planned all along. What goes around comes around. I put information in her immigration packet and witness statements from friends who lived in my house. Her card expires on November 2, 2012, so I hope USCIS does the correct thing and realize she used me for a green card and send her back to Makati City. She doesn't deserve to live in the U.S. My Jovi is so much better and I am happy I suffered in order to get her. I would do it over a 1,000 times if it meant being with her. She was a personal reference from a coworkers nephew's wife who is from Dumaguete also. Take care.


Like I said, "Sounds like you have it under control." The new lady sounds like the medicine you need and that which soothes your painful past relationship. Dumaguete and Makati are worlds apart in miles and where people are concerned.

Good luck with the new I-129F.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-01 19:28:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Waiver for second K1 is less than 2 years
Sounds like you have it under control. My ex gf lives in Dumaguete, that's a nice area.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-01 00:53:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Waiver for second K1 is less than 2 years
Your answer is here, per the I-129F instructions;

"If you have ever filed two or more petitions at any in the past or previously had a K-1 visa petition approved within two years prior to the filing of this petition, you must apply for a waiver."

When your petition is adjudicated has no bearing on the need to apply for the waiver. You had a K-1 petition that was approved within two years of when you filed the current petition, so you need the waiver.

Had you filed the current petition after March 2, 2012 -- then no need for the waiver. The need for a waiver is not determined when a petition is adjudicated, but when a petition is filed.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-29 18:04:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDoes IMBRA Require you to Disclose Previously Annulled Marriage?
I would, I would also disclose it to your current wife. I believe the question on the form is "have you ever been previously been married' which, to tell the truth, you have

Keep your petition easy to approve

Good luck
canadian_wifeFemaleCanada2012-04-01 17:31:00
IMBRA Special TopicsCase with AWA
Is your case slow, as described in your other recent posting? :blink:

http://www.visajourn...e-case-is-slow/

Or does it involve AWA, as you describe in this posting? :blink:

Based upon the rather scant information that you have provided, perhaps you should consider retaining legal counsel. Please elaborate if you would like VJ members to comment and offer advice.....

Good luck.
A&BMaleChina2012-01-27 11:57:00
IMBRA Special TopicsGot worst Valentine ever - USCIS intent to deny

Happy Valentine's day, from the USCIS! :bonk:

Recieved an intent to deny letter, because I'd had two previous fiancee k-1 petitions. Both relationships ended due to medical issues (one fiancee found out she couldn't have children at the medical examination, the other had an emotional breakdown), but do not have proof of any of this. Has anyone got any advice on how best to appeal?

Thanks for your :help:


Did the two previous women enter the US?
aaron2020MaleVietnam (no flag)2012-02-14 11:16:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
I met my fiancé online, too, and I agree it's just another medium. But I didn't read Martin & Amie as being offensive, just frustrated that as far as the media are concerned, marrying a foreigner is JUST like 'Green Card', or that it's something only rich geekish men do. They couldn't profile a single female USC?
CaladanMaleCanada2006-10-17 22:15:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times



Because anyone who reads this in the NYT who isn't going through this process will think 'Gee, why should I worry about IMBRA, it's only creeps who hate American women who bother to look overseas anyway.'


Unfortunately no one who reads about IMBRA, in any context or situation is going to care if it doesn't affect them.



There would be ways to make it more sympathetic... you know, unfortunate Texan-Mexican couple who grew up only 10 miles apart but have to wait a year to marry legally... because they're being legal.... I can hear the violins... and you could spin it as 'being tough on immigration means not punishing those who do it legally'... but they spun it like it was some sort of catalog thing where you could match your foreign spouse with your wardrobe. ('Latina girls match my shoes!') Very frustrating.
CaladanMaleCanada2006-10-17 20:38:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
That's a hard call. Is the rise in cases because women are lying, or because there was no well-publicized option for an abused woman who didn't speak English well who believed she'd be deported if she left? I'm inclined towards the latter for no terribly good reason except that every other damn thing in this process has to be documented, so it seems that unlikely that someone could claim abuse without something like a police report.

Either way, I'm glad IMBRA was passed, and I don't mind the extra question on the form, but it was implemented horribly. To get the implementation fixed is going to require negative public attention, but that's not going to happen if it's perceived as just a problem for mail order bride seekers.

And what got me, is that if my mom reads the article in the paper, even knowing a bit about my process, she won't realize that such a hang-up applies to me because the article didn't profile anyone who wasn't about the needforeignbride.com thingy.
CaladanMaleCanada2006-10-17 14:20:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
To be clear, not calling Mr. Weaver a whiner or a loser, just that the article doesn't come off flattering to visa petitioners or reflecting reality.

Because anyone who reads this in the NYT who isn't going through this process will think 'Gee, why should I worry about IMBRA, it's only creeps who hate American women who bother to look overseas anyway.'
CaladanMaleCanada2006-10-17 09:00:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
"“It all started with women’s lib,” said Sam Smith, a former salesman of insurance and mutual funds, who founded I Love Latins in Houston six years ago. “Guys are sick and tired of the North American me, me, me attitude.’ ”"

You know, just once, I wish they'd profile a couple that met while studying abroad or on Yahoo, because quite frankly, no one cares if some white, middle-aged bitter divorcée gets his woman whom the translator assures loves him here on time. He's not a sympathetic character, and frankly, the article reads like anyone upset about IMBRA is some loser whiner who wants a foreign bride because if she leaves him, she won't be able to get his money.
CaladanMaleCanada2006-10-17 08:56:00
IMBRA Special TopicsCase with AWA
There is a lot of good information in this sub-forum on exactly what is required to overcome AWA roadblocks.

Unfortunately there is also a lot of information here that seems to show AWA approvals are best take years and at worse are unobtainable...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2012-02-05 21:40:00
IMBRA Special Topics1st K1 - 221g refusal - expired no NOIR
Thank you :D


She has prepared a response, it seems it is only the IMBRA waiver USCIS is concerned with at this time.
We were able to find a few threads here on VJ with helpful examples of request for IMBRA waiver.
So, even tho nobody was able to answer this thread VJ still the BEST! :thumbs:
JAPrincessFemaleJamaica2012-01-19 09:43:00
IMBRA Special Topics1st K1 - 221g refusal - expired no NOIR
Posted Image
JAPrincessFemaleJamaica2012-01-18 17:36:00
IMBRA Special Topics1st K1 - 221g refusal - expired no NOIR
Ok, it seems from reading this thread, there is no official waiver form:
http://www.visajourn...st/page__st__15


But she did explain her reasons for filing again in her cover letter of the second petition..


So apparently she needed to use specific verbiage to be considered applying for the waiver?? :bonk: :wacko:



How should she respond, what verbiage should be used, and should she address the relationship validity question from the first petition???

The NOID says nothing of the consular's findings in the previous case....


ugh! :o
JAPrincessFemaleJamaica2012-01-17 17:43:00
IMBRA Special Topics1st K1 - 221g refusal - expired no NOIR
Hello people, I hope you can help my friend.

She filed a K1 for her fiance' and the visa was refused at the consulate.
The embassy would give her no information and only through her congressman was she able to obtain any info (basically the consular believed the relationship was not legitimate).

When USCIS received the returned petition they sent her a notice saying the petition had expired and that there was no further action they could take! :crying:


She has subsequently filed a second I-129f and today received a NOID stating she needs to file a waiver in order to have a 2nd K1 petition approval in 2 years!!???


How should she respond to this NOID?? :help:

Is there a specific form for IMBRA waiver??
They did not meet through a dating service at all. The only reason she filed again is because they did not allow her to address the 221g refusal!! :wacko:


Hoping someone out there has some insight for my friend :( (F)
JAPrincessFemaleJamaica2012-01-17 17:17:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times

Very well said. This thought hit me this morning, it's true that there may be some men who seek a forign bride with aspirations of having a woman to cook, clean and listen to them. Not all men are nice, not women are either. So, IMBRA is written to protect those relatively few women who fall victim to that kind of man.

It's also true that some executives (Senators or Representatives as well) might hire a young female personal assistant or administrator to handle their paper work. SOME of these men will seduce or sexually harrass these girls, they might have affairs which would destroy families. There isn't a law that requires these men to provide background checks to these women before they hire them in order to protect them... To me, IMBRA could lead to pretty much all men having to provide background checks to all kinds of women...


There are a lot of cases of foreign women who victimize men, so maybe there should a law to require background checks on the women? :lol:



... the story didn't come out the way it was meant to be.

For the record, I apologize to anyone who has experienced any stress as a result of this story. I had hoped for something completely different. In fact, if you go to the audio/multimedia link, you can hear an interview with her and I over the phone, we don't sound like the story reads at all.

ALSO, the quote attributed to Sam Smith is taken out of context. I spoke to him today and he was flabbergasted!

I forgot to mention one other point, I NEVER went on any "romance" tour, used a translator, etc.. The ONLY thing the ILoveLatins.com agecncy did for me was to give me Yesenia's email address. That's it. Nothing more. I contacted her on my own, got to know her on my own, and went to meet her, eventually get engaged, and plan for our future on my own. This is not any kind of arranged "mail order bride" situation where I'm spending thousands of dollars on some company to provide me with a service and eventually a wife!@#$%. I got her email address, that's it. The rest we did as any other couple might if they met on Match.com, eharmony, or any other site...

Adam


Hi Adam,

No need at all to apologize as your intentions were totally reasonable. We are getting mistreated through an ill-conceived new government requirement that is based on an unfair stereotype. The rate of abuse of foreign spouses is NOT increasing and there were no attempts to see if it is in any way different than the rate for the general population. There's no question the rate of happy marriages with foreign spouses is also dramatically increasing!

The article could have explained more about the completely botched execution of the law. The delay in releasing the proper form, much longer wait times, random processing of individual petitions - some fast, others incredibly slow, and the total lack of information or access to the processing centers. IMBRA was a new requirement but it was terribly wrong to have the law take effect before the USCIS was ready to handle it.

I'm glad you set the record straight here about your own situation because I could see that the article was pushing the "mail order bride" stereotype rather than trying to see if things have changed simply because of the much easier ability today to meet someone a long distance away and maintain a close, daily relationship through live chatting. If you ask me, this is the real story of foreign spouses.

Well good luck to you and Yesenia. We wish you a very happy life together!!


Very well said. :thumbs:
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-19 15:42:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times

I met my fiancé online, too, and I agree it's just another medium. But I didn't read Martin & Amie as being offensive, just frustrated that as far as the media are concerned, marrying a foreigner is JUST like 'Green Card', or that it's something only rich geekish men do. They couldn't profile a single female USC?


Of course they could have profiled a single female USC petitioner, but male-bashing is more popular these days.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-17 22:24:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times




"“It all started with women’s lib,” said Sam Smith, a former salesman of insurance and mutual funds, who founded I Love Latins in Houston six years ago. “Guys are sick and tired of the North American me, me, me attitude.’ ”"

You know, just once, I wish they'd profile a couple that met while studying abroad or on Yahoo, because quite frankly, no one cares if some white, middle-aged bitter divorcée gets his woman whom the translator assures loves him here on time. He's not a sympathetic character, and frankly, the article reads like anyone upset about IMBRA is some loser whiner who wants a foreign bride because if she leaves him, she won't be able to get his money.



I totally agree with you. That article completely rubbed me the wrong way. We had to wait 5 months for our NOA2 because of the IMBRA backlog! and for what? I have nothing to do with marriage brokers or internet dating, in fact I'm a woman applying for a man. I don't think people who actually met their significant other in real life should be categorized with men who troll for women on the internet. I wish they would have profiled someone whose visa was innocently held up because of it.


Hmmm, sounds like ignorant bias and prejudice to me. I met my fiance on the internet and I take offense to your attitude.

I thought same. I met my now hubby on the internet and he (USC) certainly didn't troll on the internet for me. Real life :unsure: I thought mine was :cry: The internet is just another medium, broadening the pool.


I agree. The question is not how we met, but whether we have real relationships.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-17 22:10:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times


"“It all started with women’s lib,” said Sam Smith, a former salesman of insurance and mutual funds, who founded I Love Latins in Houston six years ago. “Guys are sick and tired of the North American me, me, me attitude.’ ”"

You know, just once, I wish they'd profile a couple that met while studying abroad or on Yahoo, because quite frankly, no one cares if some white, middle-aged bitter divorcée gets his woman whom the translator assures loves him here on time. He's not a sympathetic character, and frankly, the article reads like anyone upset about IMBRA is some loser whiner who wants a foreign bride because if she leaves him, she won't be able to get his money.



I totally agree with you. That article completely rubbed me the wrong way. We had to wait 5 months for our NOA2 because of the IMBRA backlog! and for what? I have nothing to do with marriage brokers or internet dating, in fact I'm a woman applying for a man. I don't think people who actually met their significant other in real life should be categorized with men who troll for women on the internet. I wish they would have profiled someone whose visa was innocently held up because of it.


Hmmm, sounds like ignorant bias and prejudice to me. I met my fiance on the internet and I take offense to your attitude.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-17 21:54:00
IMBRA Special TopicsContacted USCIS NCSC Concerning K1 Case Status
I have little idea of what IMBRA is, and no idea if it accelerate the process (I would imagine no), but your NOA1 is dated from this month. I would say don't expect your NOA2 before February 15th, that's very unlikely! It'll be more 4-5 months.
didopageFemaleFrance2012-01-30 16:55:00
IMBRA Special TopicsGot worst Valentine ever - USCIS intent to deny

Happy Valentine's day, from the USCIS! :bonk:

Recieved an intent to deny letter, because I'd had two previous fiancee k-1 petitions. Both relationships ended due to medical issues (one fiancee found out she couldn't have children at the medical examination, the other had an emotional breakdown), but do not have proof of any of this. Has anyone got any advice on how best to appeal?

Thanks for your :help:


were the previous k-1s canceled without bringing them here?
Dan and JudyMalePhilippines2012-02-14 08:07:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
Adam,

Please let Yesenia know that all of us at VJ welcome her to America. The fact that everyone here is doing it according to the laws sets us apart from the immigration debate. It is insulting the way people are treated when they try to use the system legally. My wife was laughed at by some illegals in her English as a Second Language class last spring because she was waiting for her work permit before looking for work. By the way, she speaks much better than they do, and is only looking to improve her English.

The article in the NY Times just continues to stereo type people. It is true that many applicants fit the profile of middle aged men, (myself included) but everyone is different. For the NY Times to make it seem that the vast majority are men looking for submissive women is a disservice to everyone. As matter of fact, looking at Captain Ewok's statistical analysis, it looks as if the rate of abuse cases is actually dropping.

I think we should organize a letter campaign to the NY Times and get everyone to write a letter the same day. I have always been a supporter of the press and the job they do, but when we see such blatant misuse of the written word for the purpose of sensationalizing the story then it is time to react.

The new media has to be questioned also.
1HappyGuyMaleUkraine2006-10-23 11:21:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
Thanks for the posting, I just read the article.

My wife would laugh at the depiction of Russian speaking wives. Anyone that has been to the former Soviet Union knows that these are not submissive women. But, I do agree that they clearly have missed what the makeup of the fiancee visas is all about. There are numerous people that choose foreign born spouses for many reasons. But, of course, this article is related to IMBRA. And IMBRA is an example of knee jerk reaction by politicians to something that is not anymore likely with international marriages than domestic marriages. If you have a history of abuse, whatever kind it is, you will likely abuse in the future regardless of who your partner is.

I hope a number of women from VJ will send letters to the New York Times telling them that not all petitioners are middle age men willing to spend thousands of dollars. But, when the dust settles, it just comes down to selling newspapers. With all of the thousands of fiancee visa applications they had only a couple of people quoted in their article. That must have satisfied their statistical analysis enough.

Interesting reading but severely lacking in good research.
1HappyGuyMaleUkraine2006-10-17 16:02:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDoes IMBRA Require you to Disclose Previously Annulled Marriage?
Yes, you have to disclose annulments. Even though an annulment legally means the marriage was null and void, you were still married. You will have to send the court documents showing when and where the annulment took place.
sheeshkabelleFemaleCanada2012-04-01 18:01:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
While the article in the Times wasn't very positive, it could have been worse. They could have quoted some of the more extreme posts I've seen on VJ.

I remember one in particular wherre an older guy was trying to get ideas about out how to get around the laws in the Philippines so he could bring a 16 year old Filipina to the US to marry her.

Another post I saw involved a guy who's wife left him after a month and his primary concern was not whether they could reconcile, but whether it would affect his ability to get another K1 once he found a replacement, as if he was just planning to go out and buy a new one...

Imagine if stories like that had made it into the Times article...

My Filipina wife and I are only six months apart in age. We were introduced by people that know us and we got to know each other on the internet before meeting in person. I'm certainly not an opponent of international marriages. Unfortunately the behavior of some make the rest of us look bad and reinforce the stereotypes that our out there.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2006-11-11 15:45:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times
One of the things I have noticed about the media is when they do a story they don't care about presenting something honestly. They start of to do a story with a certain bent and then look for things that give credence to the story they want to write. They don't want to hear the other side. They want to sell papers or attract viewers.

Someone said something upthread about IMBRA possibly spreading to other areas of life in America. It is the best thing that could happen. Right now there are too few of us to raise a fuss that anyone will listen too and once you get through the K-1 hurdle you have a lot less interest in how unfair IMBRA is.

JS, you are right, it could have been worse. Search hard enough and you can find extreame examples anywhere. Still a lot of cases that some might consider extreame may have good intentions and be quite legit.
TurboguyMaleRussia2006-11-12 01:01:00
IMBRA Special TopicsFilipinaHeart or FilipinoCupid IMBRA or Not?
I met Jessa on FilipinaHeart. I searched a lot just as you have and came to the same conclusion as what people are posting here. If USCIS doesn't consider them to be a marriage broker, then the answer is 'NO'. I provided a supplement page to write how we met as the box provided is too small. The only mention of FilipinaHeart was that we initially met on there. All of the rest was about the progression, meeting dates and places, a general idea of how we spent our time, and a declaration of our intentions. Short, to the point, and with facts so now, the wait begins. I don't think we have a problem with this as many are pointing out. No need to list the website's TOS or policies if 'NO' is the answer.
TnJMalePhilippines2012-04-11 00:25:00