Lestat

Here's a news report that mentions IMBRA:

http://video.wjla.com/wjla/candidate0725.wmv

Apparently, all charges against David Dickerson has now been dropped as the allegations against him were found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. Another link: http://www.wmdt.com/wires/displaystory.asp?id=52692590 Tahirih Justice Center (TJC) must be embarassed about ranting on TV about more abuse of immigrant women when now, evidence clearly shows this was yet another false allegation of abuse. I really wonder how many more of these TJC's so-called "mail-order bride" abuses are really just false claims of abuse or rape. Obviously, OP was a lame attempt at propagenda. ................................................................................

....... By the way, the Dickerson case is yet another example of this national epidemic of people claiming false allegations of abuse/rape against each other. Clearly, we need to raise national awareness about this largely hidden epidemic and come up with ways to combat this problem. A good start would be to implement severe penalties for false accusers.

Sorry, the situation you describe is not a "national epidemic" according to the definition offered by Merriam-Webster. It appears that you are exagerrating somewhat here.

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/epidemic

1 : affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time <typhoid was epidemic>

Maybe you "feel the need to raise national awareness about this largely hidden epidemic" but I can't see how an epidemic can be hidden if it affects so many people. Personally, I agree that it is horrible for anyone to be falsely accused of any crime whatsoever.

May I ask you what kind of severe penalty for false accusations would you suggest in this particular case?

I don't want to get into a debate about the incidence of false allegations of rape and abuse, but here are some references that may be helpful. I will let you decide. http://www.ifeminists.net/introduction/edi...05roberts.html; http://www.anandaanswers.com/pages/naaFalse.html; http://www.hisside.com/3_21_04.htm; http://www.ncfm.org/FACT1.HTM By the way, Tahirih Justice Center(TJC) looked foolish ranting on TV (see OP) about more abuse of immigrant women on this case which is clearly based on false allegations of rape and abuse. People now have to question TJC's credibility. I still wonder many more of these TJC's so-called "mail-order bride" abuses are really just false claims of abuse or rape.

Here's a news report that mentions IMBRA:

http://video.wjla.com/wjla/candidate0725.wmv

Apparently, all charges against David Dickerson has now been dropped as the allegations against him were found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. Another link: http://www.wmdt.com/wires/displaystory.asp?id=52692590 Tahirih Justice Center (TJC) must be embarassed about ranting on TV about more abuse of immigrant women when now, evidence clearly shows this was yet another false allegation of abuse. I really wonder how many more of these TJC's so-called "mail-order bride" abuses are really just false claims of abuse or rape. Obviously, OP was a lame attempt at propagenda. ................................................................................

....... By the way, the Dickerson case is yet another example of this national epidemic of people claiming false allegations of abuse/rape against each other. Clearly, we need to raise national awareness about this largely hidden epidemic and come up with ways to combat this problem. A good start would be to implement severe penalties for false accusers.

Just had my wife's AOS interview in downtown St.Louis several days ago. We arrived for the appointment (scheduled for 12:30 pm) about one hour early, dropped our invitation in the tray and sat down. Apparently, we were the first one for the afternoon appointments. I noticed a sign on the wall stating the interviews may be recorded. Promptly, at 12:30, a USCIS officer called us and we were escorted to her office. She swore us and then started to review our files and asked for our documentations, including passports, I-94, driver licence, birth certificates, citizenship papers, etc. She also asked us for evidence showing that we were living together. We provided bank statements showing our joint account, joint credit card statements, joint auto insurance statements, life insurance papers showing my wife as the beneficiary, her health insurance card through my employer and a house constuction agreement with both of us as the owners. Then the officer asked us questions about how we met, how many times I have been to Ukraine to see my wife, and how we spent the time together, etc. the basic stuff. Also, she wanted to see our 2005 tax return as an update to the I-864 affidavit of support. Then the officer asked me to leave and she spoke with Olga for a few minutes, asking her a few more questions about our married and intimate life. The same process was repeated with me. The only concern that I had was when she asked me at the end "so there is a 21 year age difference between you and your wife?", to which I replied "yup". Then she said we should hear a decision within a few weeks. Today, Olga received a I-797 letter stating "Welcome to the United States of America" and to say the least, we are both ecstatic! We should get her green card in about 3 weeks. Thanks everyone for all your valuable information! I think the take home lesson here is to make sure you come to the AOS interview with all the required documents.

Question: How many protesters were outside the White House as the newly sworn in President Bush rode in his limo from the inaugeration to the White House?

Answer: You don't know because there was no media press. (Unless you read every corner of the newspaper or saw Fahrenheit 911.)

I was there! And there were a relative lot of us. Some people in Germany told me they saw that covered in the news. I think protesting is a lot more effective than people think, and I don't think that the Latino protests had no effect or an adverse effect. The whole point is to raise awareness.

That said, I have no idea how we'd organize one just within the family-based visa population. I'm up for anything else though.

I believe that the illegals marching had little or adverse effect because of who they were and thus, they lacked credibility. But legitimate citizens here protesting would carry more credibility, not to mention creating awareness.

Thanks in no small part to Tahirih Justice Center (http://www.tahirih.org), IMBRA has been a total bureaucratic fiasco that has essentially trashed 10,000 engagements and weddings. Jean Smoot of Tahirih Justice Center claims abuse rates between US citizens and foreign women are three times higher than in the general US population. However, Layli Miller-Muro, the executive director of Tahirih Justice Center stated on "O'Reilly Factor (March 22, 2006) that they had "no definitive way of knowing" the abuse rates in these international marriages. So who is telling the truth?

This morning, I came across this opinion article published in Cumberland Times. http://www.times-news.com/opinion/local_story_201095119.html

Size has nothing to do with it. Most men won't retaliate or even defend themselves against a woman, so how does their larger size or greater strength apply in any way? Pain is still pain, abuse is still abuse.

The OP did retaliate.

And physical size has everything to do with it. If you have ever been roughed up by someone a foot taller and 70 pounds your weight, especially when that person is pumped full of anger-based adrenalin, you would know that.

Yes it happened to me. Does that make me a victim? Perhaps.

Sorry, Cian, I call them as I see them. A gentleman doesn't put his hand in anger against his lady - ever.

Yup, I agree. But also, a lady doesn't put her hand in anger against her gentleman - ever.

Wow, jsn. Nice soapboxing! But maybe if you were caught in the same s##tstorm we're in you'd feel different. It's not the spirit of the law that most of us have problems with, it's the shoddy compliance procedure coupled with lack of transparency (as many of my colleagues above have pointed out).

Then you imply that we somehow deserve this treatment because some of us feel that we are at some K1 Wal-Mart? I'm extra careful - I'm getting married for the first time (and hopefully last) at 37 - and I think only a fool would need a law to tell him or her that they shouldn't be emulating the Britneys and Tom Cruises and J-Los of the world in the marriage department.

Though perhaps unintentional, your high-handed tone and sophomoric logic land you a place at the back of the debate class, sir.

You, of course sir, are correct.

Yes, Israel does have right to exist, although its recent aggression into Lebanon is a severe overreaction.

By the way, the above article is not a conspiracy theory. It was written by a well-published, highly regarded feminist.

I recently ran into this article on IMBRA written by Wendy McElroy, a highly respected feminist writer. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,180487,00.html

Yes, they published an article by him. Go read the other articles. I wouldn't consider it an honour to be published there. It's all babble and drivel. Conspiracies involving Femi-Nazis, lesbians, disgruntled American women, and probably Satan too, I'm sure.

Well, since this is another rant post, I will join in!

I agree with your analysis. It's time for some to move on and stop blaming everyone they can find for IMBRA. Now is the time to focus on getting our fiance(e)s reunited with us and it is not the time to daydream about IMBRA. IMBRA was brought into existence by US legislators, PERIOD! They are the ones responsible for IMBRA's existence, no one else, according to the rules of logic. So yell at them, ok?

Personally, I can't fathom why some members continue to be obssessed with the "reasons behind IMBRA" and can not focus effectively and cooperatively to get reunited with their loved one. I'm here to be reunited with my love and I will do everything possible to make that happen. Rants about the "reasons behind IMBRA" really don't belong here, they belong in off topic at this point. The fact is, IMBRA exists for now and most of us are working together to find a strategy to deal with it. Another point, this "article" was already put up before earlier in some posts here and was already discredited. Other posts suggesting frivolous lawsuits have also corrupted and ruined posts that were originally intended to share clear and vital information about the new application process. I can tell you, it is difficult enough to read through this minefield of information and disinformation without having to deal with pure speculation and conspiracy theories.

I will say it again, the reason the majority of people are upset about IMBRA is because the USCIS was not prepared to deal with the new IMBRA law in a seamless and timely fashion. (which has nothing to do whatsoever with the law itself, that is a USCIS problem) All of us just happened to be the first group that has dealt with IMBRA and most of us are quite upset about it. We need to work together and share vital and relevant information about the ongoing process in order to understand what will happen next. In order to share info effectively, our posts should be clear, concise and they should contain information that is useful, truthful and relevant. The work we are all doing now will make it easier for the next batch of applicants facing the K1 process.

I have to politely disagree that USCIS is at fault. IMBRA is so poorly written, vague and confusing that it has become almost impossible for USCIS to implement. Tahirih Justice Center (http://www.tahirih.org) is the principle sponsor and helped to write this confusing law. I believe we need to send a letter of protest to TJC and ask them to help in unraveling this visa fiasco that they helped to create. As you can see, TJC's response to Dave Root's article does not even mention 10,000 visas being halted. I wonder why.............

By the way, even though TJC is greatly responsible for this visa fiasco, if any one is sending them a letter for their assistance, I would suggest avoiding any accusatory tone. Apparently, TJC has some sway with the government and I would much rather have them work with us than against us in clearing up this visa mess.

The "article" is a letter to the editor. David Root, if I'm not mistaken, was one of our trolls here who was fighting with Imbra2005. It sounds word-for-word like the ####### he posted on his website. The dude is a moron.

Edit: http://www.imbra.org/veterans.html

Apparently, Frederick Post editor thought that it was well-written and was of some value and thus, he proceeded to publish it. I have looked at other articles on the Frederick Post and it seems like a respected newspaper. By the way, I don't think Dave Root owns that imbra.org site, but apparently, its owners publised an article by Dave.

OK I am sorry but I have to voice my oppinion on this article.. this article I think is the thing that stinks. It says it affects our veterens more? How so.. I will admit IMBRA has affected us all right now because DHS didn't step up to the plate and create the appropriate documents required within the time frame.. (Bush sign on Jan 5)... But once IMBRA has done its toll and now it should not affect anyone in the future.. veterens are not affected.. How many veterens do you think meet their foriegn wives from Marriage brokers????? Not many.. they meet them abroad.. therefore.. they have to check .. No I didn't meet on a marriage broker.. and as long as they are not a violent criminal... they have nothing else to do differently... IMBRA is affecting us now yes.. because it threw a wrench in a already flawed process... if you didn't meet on an IMB then it won't affect you in the future..

I agree that IMBRA affects not just veterans and the clients of IMBs but EVERYONE who is planning to marry a foreign citizen. I think this writer was trying to say that veterans as a group are disproportanately affected, since they have a higher rate of marriage to foreign ladies. For years, the proponents of IMBRA were unable to get it passed through the Congress as a "stand-alone" legislation so they cleverly tacked it onto the backend of the Violence Against Women Act 2005, which was sure to pass (and ended up passing easily).

I am new here and I heard a lot about Imbra law......do not know what is that...anyone know? thanks

Basically the reason so many of us are still waiting on the approvals. If you put a timeline we may be able to explain a little more, but it has been a nightmare in the fact it has delayed many of us.

IMBRA is very poorly written, confusing and vague and that is why it has been a nightmare to implement. As result, the whole visa process has come to a halt. Currently, there are two ongoing lawsuits to overturn IMBRA but the Tahirih Justice Center (TJC) is fighting like a crazed animal to prevent its demise. Since TJC helped to write this confusing law, I believe the least it can do is to offer its help to resolve this visa fiasco.

Also, you should probably give the consulate a call and ask when they've sent your petition back. They probably have done it already. Oh, and if possible, check your status online, by creating an account here (https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/selectusertype.jsp) - if you haven't done it yet. Maybe you'll get to see some update saying it's been sent back or reopened.

The thing with IMBRA is: you're supposed to get an RFE and answer a few questions that were missing in the forms you used (because it was not updated as per the contents of IMBRA).

I agree that there will be a delay in your visa processing. I would also suggest speaking with your Congressman to elicit his help in speeding things up. I went a step further by writing a letter to Tahirih Justice Center (which helped to write this confusing law) and asked them to assist in clearing up this visa mess.

Just got a call from my congressman's office. They just received a response to their inquiry on my behalf. USCIS told them that the IMBRA RFE would not affect the processing time of our petition. When I got my NOA1 the processing time was stated as 80 to 110 days. I'm also a NSC transferree. So that means if they are correct I will get our NOA2 no later then 8/17/06. So we'll see. Of course now I need to get my RFE back in to them which should be in the next day or so. B)

b u l l s h i t

Heap another shovel full on that pile!!!! IMBRA has already added over 2 months to the process in my case - just the time it took to return the file from Paris, probably back to NVC, then to NSC where it was originally approved, then transferred to CSC, then wait around for the RFE, now wait around some more for them to look at those piddly 3 questions, only one of which I responded "no" to. So for something that has no bearing on my case, it has been delayed over 2 months. My fiance would have been here by now, settling in, and we could get on with our lives. It is inconceivable that this could be construed not to be a delay.

I would have to thank Tahirih Justice Center for this, as they helped to write this confusing, overly vague law that has been almost impossible to implement. I just fired off another letter asking them to lend some help to unravel this visa fiasco that they helped to create in the first place.

I just found this article on IMBRA on the Frederick Post. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/...m?storyid=50225 It seems like IMBRA is being trashed from all sides. Hopefully, this law would be repealed so that it would bring this visa nightmare to a close.

"... I do believe this law was created for a good reason..."

IMBRA was NOT created for a good reason. This law was intentionally designed to make it difficult for people to EVEN GET TO KNOW potential foreign spouses, under the guise of protecting women from potential abuse.

Interestingly enough, the law contains specific language that puts restraints on so-called "International Marriage Brokers", but SPECIFICALLY provides for the large USA based "International Marriage Brokers" such as Match.com... it helps to have a powerful lobby...

The number of women being abused due to international marriages is extremely minute compared to the domestic cases of abuse... but the media loves to focus on the senationalized international stories... the media also loves to lump in the concept of "human trafficking" with "foreign brides" to convince the public that they are one and the same...

If they really wanted to stop abuse, they would have put their "good intentions" into domestic prevention of abuse... if they really wanted a fair law, it would apply to the big domestic based companies like Match.com as well...

This law, like most laws that get media attention, is simply cleverly disguised gobbledygook, serving as a smokescreen for a handful of people with a hidden political/economic agenda.

Now ironcially, even people who met on Match.com International, may suffer the consequences of this law slowing up immigration... but what does Match.com care at this point, they already increased their market share by making it more difficult for NON-domestic companies to do business in the first place...

We can all thank Tahiri Justice Center(TJC), a principle sponsor and supporter of IMBRA, for this current visa mess. There is already enough documentation of financial and psychological damage done to many of us here as results TJC's actions. If the damage continue to grow, perhaps a class-action lawsuit against Tahiri may be necessary.

Yes i admitted we met on one of those sites. Today i got a second RFE. When i find out what is in it i will let you know

Please post as soon as possible. What deserves a 'yes' has been an ongoing topic that we do not have a definitive answer on. I put yes with a letter of the information. It was Filipinoheart.com and I am not 100% sure it should be a yes. I explained that in the letter.

As did I. Email sent to me troday. I suppose i will get ther mail thursday.

May I ask what place you met? As I said, mine was filipinoheart. I included a mailing adr, office adr, ph number, and fax number. In addition to an explaination why it could have been a 'no' but that I wanted to be as forthcoming as possible.

Yes i admitted we met on one of those sites. Today i got a second RFE. When i find out what is in it i will let you know

Please post as soon as possible. What deserves a 'yes' has been an ongoing topic that we do not have a definitive answer on. I put yes with a letter of the information. It was Filipinoheart.com and I am not 100% sure it should be a yes. I explained that in the letter.

As did I. Email sent to me troday. I suppose i will get ther mail thursday.

May I ask what place you met? As I said, mine was filipinoheart. I included a mailing adr, office adr, ph number, and fax number. In addition to an explaination why it could have been a 'no' but that I wanted to be as forthcoming as possible. Also, how do you know your RFE is related to the 'yes' in the marriage broker box?

I met on a site run by some russiam woman in Maine. It was 10 mo0nths ago and since then have deleted the email address and all other info. All i could give immigrationswas the email address. I don't see what difference it made though since i have no record

Could it be the Anastasia International in Bangor, Maine? Their website is http://www.anastasiaweb.com Its a shame that IMBRA does not more clearly define a "marriage broker". This seems to have been a source of confusion for many here. Good luck.

Sorry for those out there that are focused on what has to be the one most important factor in ur life, i.e., "being with the one u love." My functionality scale is also dimin. from such separation. However, if u have any left-over energy, think about about the following: The mushroom feeding we receive from the govermental

agencies(DOS in their defense seems to have empathy).

Sounds like the responses KING GEORGE PROVIDED back in 1776.

Sorry 4 being such a reac'tnly radical ( I grew up in Mr. Jefferson's town) but what's wrong w a protest march parade at VSC at St. Albans ( although I live and work in VA and NC) I have relatives in Montpelier (ALOT OF COUSINS, AUNTS, UNCLES, 2ND AND 3RD COUSINS) that could find us places to stay and we and shown signs that say we miss our love ones....emplyoees we know u are victims too of the mis management of IMBRA (my Rebublican Imm Spec Char IMBRA as such, i.e., miss application IMBRA and I vote voted Carter, Clinton and Kerry).. we hear it in your inability to be compassionate when we get thru with our disparging cries for help...we are here to protest mis management of IMMIGRATION per se, and the the disreregard of the Life ACT. WE JUST WANT DEMOCRACY AND TO BE WITH OUR LOVE ONES ASAP.

WHAT WOULD JESUS AND THOMAS JEFFERSON SAY about this radical view??????????????????????????

Troll responses welcomed?

But Please tell me about 2 things with your response: Ur opinion about the benefit or contraindcations of free speech and what makes u think that a stand for democracy now diminishes the quality of ur life and ur ur children and most importantly, ur grandchildren later?????

RHETORIC THAT IS REASONED IS WELCOME AND LOVED.

Just an observation. At least the VSC iis moving along. Its us at the CSC that are feeling helpless and in the dark. But, your right, I want to be with my fiancee more than anything. I feel exhausted between working, fitting her in during my free time (yes, every day) and spending countless visits to this site as well as the USCIS site just praying for an updated. I believe that more publicity would definately help speed things along when it came from our side, instead of the news saying that the law passed and it is a 'win for women' or protection for women. Please, someone should know how many of us as well as our fiancees overseas that are going through hell right now.

I agree completely that the politicians, the media and the American public should aware our mass tribulations. The main problem is that IMBRA is so poorly written and vague that it has been a nightmare for DHS to implement. I have written to my Representative and the Senators to bring this visa nightmare to his attention. I have also written to Layli-Miller Muro of Tahirih Justice Center (TJC), the primary sponsor of IMBRA, to complain about this mess that she helped to create. There has already been an enormous financial and psychological damage done to many of us as result of the IMBRA.

(1) Who would you sue?

(2) What would you sue for?

(3) How do you get around the fact that Congress can pretty much do whatever it wants with regard to immigration matters, i.e. they can completely do away with immigration altogether, or open the borders, or something inbetween (like eliminating all family-based immigration)?

What about suing Tahiri Justice Center, a principle backer of this law, for monatary damages and other damages resulting from many wedding plan disruptions?

A class action lawsuit against Tahiri Justice Center may be possible if enough damage is done to enough people.

I am confused about this marriage broker thing. I am not sure what i would put for that. I read the IMBRA requirements, and it says it is considered for any paying service that provides services for dating, matrimonial and etc. That would affect most of people because of arrival of such sites as Match.com. I met from my fiance from a site that is culturely....However that site is not just for US citizens..It includes applicants from Australia, Britain, and as well from USA. What would i answer??

I'm in the same boat as you. My fiance is well educated and has been in the US for a long time now. Yet because of poorly enacted legislature, she is stuck in Moldova waiting with no answers. I can't even see my fiance because of my obligations to my business in the US.

A thought I had on the class action idea. The class action would be seeking two different things.

First, they would probably need monetary compensation for lost deposits due to processing errors on behalf of "fill in your choice of government agency here." People have already had their petitions approved and a recall of an approved petition at the time of interview constitutes negligence of continuity on the governments part because all RFE's should have been handled earlier in the process.

Second, the suit would require a more clear definition of how late in the game an RFE can be issued. It seems like currently ones fiance could be at the airport and the sponsor would still be filling our RFE's based on the originally petition.

I will say that IMBRA would have been a great piece of legislature if it was implemented clearly and given the appropriate amount of time to have all the paperwork that goes along with it prepared. Unfortunately it was poorly implemented. The people we call for help at agencies across the country have no idea what IMBRA is or how it is affecting our lives. The people we are supposed to call for answers to our questions only leave us with more questions.

I'm sorry to say that our government rushed a good idea and now we are all paying the price.

i would have to agree wholeheartedly. luckily, my fiance has a place to live and a job to keep him fed and healthy until we can get this all straightened out. i can't imagine how much stress folks are under who have handed in thier resgination and sold their home/gotten out of their lease to find that their interview is postponed or that thier visa will not be issued.

i'm not even going to mention dates that were scheduled for weddings...

I agree with the above statements. I want to add that if the current situation gets worse, a class-action lawsuit is a good idea to recoup the enormous damages that IMBRA has already done to many of us here. IMBRA, while its intent was good, was very poorly written, overly broad and vague and thus, it has been almost impossible to implement. I think more of the blame should lie with the sponsers and the proponents of IMBRA rather than the USCIS, which is trying hard to implement this piece of garbage. For a class-action lawsuit, instead of USCIS, it might be better to direct it against the special interest groups which were involved in writing and supporting IMBRA, such as Tahiri Justice Center, which is still defending this piece of garbage in the courts.

Let him rant. I just got my IMBRA RFE today. I will fill it out, send it in and then my petition will procede as before. IMBRA does not stop honest people from bringing in their loved ones. It only informs the fiance of a dangerous USC. The only ones that have anything to worry about are the criminals that have something to hide. I wonder if that is why he is so upset? Just wondering, not accusing.

......................................................... This IMBRA is so vague, overly broad and poorly written that its implementation has been a nightmare, as expected. Now, I am sure that the IMBRA proponents realized this, but they pushed it through Congress anyway and unfortunately, it is having the desired effect of "chilling" international romances. IMBRA seems like a scornful feminist agenda designed to keep older, wealthier American men from marrying a much younger foreign woman.