A Tricky Question... I need some 'exert' advice

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Finally, looking at part of the staute - you have to parse out the intent - the language is "charge a fee" for the "service of matchmaking, dating, marriage, etc." - not "charge a fee" for "access to the site." You see the difference there is to make there? Match.com charges you a fee to access the site - they promise nothing - anything could happen and it depends on the contact you make with the other person - they may not answer you at all (and laugh at you too...ha). Some of these others (the ones I believe at which IMBR is directed) charge you a fee and guarantee you will meet others interested in dating/marriage, and you pay the fee to meet the people (or perhaps after you have a fiance or wife)...these are just my opinions, but I bet I am closer to the truth than further away; again, I would consult a good attorney (I can refer you to one if you like)...J

Have to agree here, as well. A consultation with an immigration attorney on this is wise, but despite the broad language of the statute, it appears to be honing in on those facilitators that receive revenue/fees from arranging a connection between clients or those that specialise in matching foreign-born individuals with US citizens and permanent residents.

I don't know how mail-order-bride entities operate, but I'd suspect a fee is paid for upfront, or pursuant to receiving leads? While some fee is paid to join Yahoo personals, Match.com, eHarmony etc. I'm not so sure that the distinction lies in the fact that the small fee is not to guarantee anything, other than the opportunity to review information on their site. I'd rather suspect that the True.com, Match.com, Yahoo personals and the ilk are exempt because they have not been found to specifically focus on "international connections". They may have many international clients, but they are not specialising in making that their raison d'etre, unlike, latinbrides.com (fictitious) that may not only concentrate but also hold themselves out to the public as performing a speciality international match-making service.