With the help of many people on this site, I mailed my I-129F petition packet this morning to the Texas Service center. Thanks for all your help and knowledge.

My question is in regards to Question 19 on the I-129F form. (Regarding having met thru the services on an international marriage broker)

I met my novia thru an agency website in October 2006. I purchased her email address and we intitally met thur "email". The company I purchased the email address from and the owner of the company NEVER mentioned anything about IMBRA and I did not know about IMBRA until I started looking into K-1 visa information. I was told to be truthful on the application and I wrote the process of how we met and all the correct information to contact the agency. Since IMBRA was never discussed with me thru the agency and no personal information was obtained on me from the agency, is this going to hinder my filing? I am not a criminal and have never been arrested or been in any legal trouble in my life, so I have nothing to worry about on that end. I do not want to have my process slowed if the agency was not doing their job properly.

Can someone give me some insight on IMBRA requirements when it applies to the I-129F petition?

Bundy

You might find some helpful information in the following forum... IMBRA Forum

My understanding is that it should have NO bearing on your petition. Even though I am not effected by IMBRA there are PLENTY of guys who have met their fiancee through a "Broker" and it has no impact on your case. The Brokers have some requirements that they are supposed to adhere to, whether or not the foreign based ones do is another matter in and of itself.

I met my fiancee through a agency and it was not a problem at all....in fact it was never a issue what so ever. In today's world it is a very common way to meet people. The IMBRA only becomes a problem when a person applies for a second fiance visa within 2 years or has a criminal past. Maybe other folks have more knowledge on this subject. I guess things may change in the future as the IMBRA is no longer new and is up and running now. I would not worry, you are doing nothing wrong.

The agency you met her through does qualify as an IMBRA marriage broker. If you checked 'NO' it probably won't cause you any problems. They don't seem to be paying too much attention to that part of the IMBRA law yet. That may change in the future. I am sure if they give you a problem about it answering that you misunderstood the question should let you get by without problems.

Is the agency you used foreign owned? The foreign owned agencies are not required to follow IMBRA, so that could make a difference. But, if it is an American based agency, then you can expect a request for evidence (RFE) from the USCIS. The fact that you were honest and gave them the entire information may allow them to accept the application but don't be surprised about an RFE.

IMBRA is intended to inform the foreign fiancee of any possible problems with the US based fiance regarding past convictions for abuse, drug abuse, etc. About the only U.S. based agencies that are exempted from IMBRA are the religious ones.

1HappyGuy,

Out of curiosity, what do you think the the USCIS would request in an RFE?

Yes, the agency is foreign owned which I pointed out on a supplement sheet. Why would I get an RFE? I did not hide anything and disclosed all the information about the agency: Owners name, address, email address, phone number, website, etc.

That was really my point.... I had much the same situation except I know the place I used IS considered by definition an IMB. I only included the same information that you did and did not get an RFE...

My main concern was, with these challanges to IMBA being struct down in court one by one, it is possible that they might now start addressing this question 19 differently ... at least this was my big concern.
Really what good is that portion of the law if everyone blows it off?

You never indicated whether you checked yes or no for the "did you use an IMB" question. I think some posters have assumed you checked no. You might want to address that directly. I've seen no evidence of RFE's for IMBRA for those using the new form, unless it was for missing criminal records. No criminal history, no records required, so no RFE's. This could change at any time, once USCIS figures out how they are going to deal with IMBRA. So far, they seem to be doing the minimum they are under direct court orders to do, because the law is just too poorly written and difficult to directly enforce.

I checked YES on the form. My reason for concern is the Agency Owner never mentiond a single thing concerning IMBRA and my fiancee never heard anything about it. Would my petition be held up if the Agency Owner did not follow the correct procedures? I have nothing to hide as far as any legal issues but am just worried about making this process longer than it has to be.

Bundy

I have been told theat foreign based Agencies do not fall under IMBRA, but that is just second hand information.

The anecdotal information so far, indicates the only compliance with IMBRA USCIS is enforcing is the new form and criminal records from those who are required to provide them. I've seen nothing to indicate any follow-through by Consular officers or USCIS with regard to the actual brokers. This could change.

The original question did not state if the internet agency was domestic or foreign. The USCIS is concerned with enforcing IMBRA as it pertains to applicants. If the applicant did not answer the question properly (at least to the USCIS's satisfaction, then an RFE could be sent). The main thing here is that the applicant did provide the proper information and was not trying to hide anything.

Some of you have been on VJ long enough to know that the USCIS will issue an RFE for almost any little thing.

I am not so sure that foreign agencies are not required to comply with the IMBRA laws when the customer is from the USA. I have heard of agencies shutting down because they could not comply.

When the do start enforcing it they can use denial of the visa as the method of enforcement. I have no doubts a few years from now there will be many sad stories here from it but hopefully we will all be ok.