BrianMarie2014

13 hours ago, Penguin_ie said:

 

The attachment had your full name and (I believe) email.  We do not allow personal info on the site for your own privacy and safety, as well as to curb spammers and phishing scams that are attracted to such posts.

The attachment did not have any personal info, it was just a generic " To Whom It May Concern " letter from Cherry Blossoms about them not being an IMB. I reposted the attachment above.

I just realized that when this post was moved I believe the attachment Cherry Blossoms letter was lost. If that is the case I have re-attached it here. If for some reason the letter was removed for a site policy violation that I am not aware of I apologize. Otherwise if it were simply an oversight during the move here it is again 

CB Signed 08-05-15.pdf

On 11/28/2018 at 8:58 AM, Penguin_ie said:

******  personal info edited for privacy and security, and post moved to IMBRA forum *****

Hello and thank you for moving my post to where it will be most helpful. I have a question was the attachment removed ? It was the actual letter from Cherry Blossoms on their letter head which is needed. My apologies if it is still there I didn't see it.

10 hours ago, debbiedoo said:

figured with my luck, i'd get that one. wasnt risking it LOLOL

You and me both, back in 2007 when I was dealing with USCIS they were actually somewhat helpful... 7 years later what a joke... I called just for a few simple clarifications on their new forms and they were about useless. These days it's nothing more than a call center at best directing people to their website or to contact a lawyer. IF you ever get into a sticky situation like errors on your Perm Res card THEN you might get transferred to an actual Immigration Officer. Maybe... Like I said earlier my wife and I did all the filing ourselves and this time there was my divorce involved so yeah nothing was left to chance  

12 hours ago, missileman said:

OP- You might want to refrain from posting personal emails and real names in your posts...😉

I completely understand your concern but I have my full name and several email addresses scattered over the internet for many years. I run an online business and I'm on many car club sites and full names, email addresses and even home addresses are not really an issue. Posting actual pictures of your petition details yeah that's a big no no.. People on YouTube are great at that...

1 hour ago, Tjbox said:

If you would do i-130 instead, noone would care for your IBM even it would be so. 

I'm not really sure where your going with the I-130? Isn't that a petition for alien relative? I see you also filed an IR-1 and CR-1 which are not applicable to us.

Back in 2014 I didn't really know about the IMB and didn't really care, I didn't want problems with USCIS which I did not have. You absolutely CANNOT assume USCIS will do what they are suppose to do or even pass your application through EVEN IF IT'S CORRECT. . They asked for it so I submitted the letter. Done

FYI : ANYONE who is going through the K1 visa process and your fiancee gets a 10 year Unconditional Perm Res card you better look at it closely because my wife just had to get hers redone. There were 4 mistakes on it and the I-90 will be the fix. Just hope you didn't lose it.. 

1. She received a 10 year Perm Res Card ( WRONG )

2. It was unconditional ( WRONG )

3. Under CATEGORY on Perm Res Card it said K1 should have been CF-1 ( WRONG )

4. On her 10 year green card the date was wrong because it's 2 years after MARRIAGE and you can apply to remove conditions 90 days before.

My ex wife was also issued a 10 year card which was also wrong. Government at it's finest.

YES you are exactly right about this IMB thing and if anyone used a Marriage Broker your bank account is all you would have to look at to know it. It costs thousands!!! Like I said I don't have the time to search the every post on IMB's that were posted to see whats there, I don't need the info I'm sharing it plus I attached the letter from Cherry Blossoms which I have no idea if anyone has posted it before.

Take care

 Hello everyone,

I don't really have a lot of time these days but if this topic has been covered by someone else I apologize for posting it again. I receive messages on occasion about IMB's so I think this should be a permanent sticky here on the site just to make it easier and less confusing for people to get through this already difficult and confusing process..

Briefly, my wife and I met on Cherry Blossoms back in 2014 and we were also confused by this IMB / International Marriage Broker thing. I contacted Cherry Blossoms directly and they sent a very nice email reply clearly stating they ARE NOT an IMB / International Marriage Broker. We were tangled up in this mess back then all it took was an email to Cherry Blossoms and they sent the letter. I guess now they are charging for the letter service which in my opinion is taking advantage of their already paying customers. If their sole intention to operate that site is for DATING and eventually MARRIAGE then why would that letter not be included since you obviously need it to file the I-129F petition properly.

Yes this K1 Fiancee Visa process is at times miserable but I have ( unfortunately ) had to do it twice over the past 12 years. The first time i went through this process it was completely new to me, I looked at it as I'm sure you all do with excitement and anticipation of meeting this new person. We talked for over a year, met in person for 3 weeks which is really not a long time to get to know someone but eventually you have to make a decision right?  I mean shes not going to wait forever but after 5 years we realized that our lives were going in different directions. You just can't anticipate everything and we had a very amicable separation and eventually divorce. It wasn't easy because A LOT of work went into the whole relationship so yes we tried but if it's not meant to be no matter what you do will not " FIX IT " no matter what anyone tells you.

A few years later I decided that after my past experience I would give it another try going in with a lot more experience and understanding of what I was really looking for. I met my current wife in 2014 while I was already in the Philippines visiting someone else that really wasn't the one for me. Call it fate, destiny or whatever you like but we hit it off great and I felt like I knew her my whole life. Is this time around 100% bliss?? BWAHAHAHAHAAHA!!!!! No not even close BUT we are compatible, we are like minded and we are willing to understand each other and be flexible.  I really think this is the key, flexibility. When you get two people from the same country, culture, socio-economic background, education, etc.... you will have problems so how much more with this?? PATIENCE... dear Lord patience of a saint at times because... well everything is just different here than there and it takes time to adjust and learn about each other.

I'm really not trying to be discouraging but I just can't stress enough to TAKE YOUR TIME and get to know your partner because chatting for a year IS NOT comparable to being together for that amount of time. Meeting your partner on a 3 week vacation type of trip is also NOT COMPARABLE to that period of time when they arrive in your country. The second time around was much better but if you consider the chances of meeting your future wife in your last week of your visit and you never even talked before... No I don't believe it's some random chance or happening I believe that the person you are destined to be with will be there in the time they are meant to be there. If that makes sense then the point is take your time because a year or two is nothing compared to a lifetime with the wrong person. But It's REALLY worth the wait when you find the right one

If you are not able to view the letter please let me know and I'll try to upload it again. If anyone has ANY questions or concerns please let us know, we re happy to help as much as we can. We also DID NOT use a lawyer either time and never had anything returned, the K1 processed through without an issue even with my divorce included the last time. 

Hope this helps

Take care

Brian & Marie

So here is my letter to Cherry Blossoms

Brian

Jan 12, 2016, 8:45 AM

to office

Hello,

I am a current member on your site and met my fiancee through your site while on vacation in the Philippines. We hit it off and our relationship is going great. We are currently in the process of filing the K1 visa and there is a question about how we met. The I-129f asks if we met through an international marriage broker. I read the "About Us" page on your website but I didn't see anything about you being or not being an IMB "International Marriage Broker". Can you please help clarify for me if you are or are not an IMB so I can answer the question on the I-129f form correctly?

Thank you for your help and for a wonderful website. Because of the service you offer I met the love of my life.

Sincerely,

Brian Arnone

Here is my letter to Cherry Blossoms

Hello,

I am a current member on your site and met my fiancee through your site while on vacation in the Philippines. We hit it off and our relationship is going great. We are currently in the process of filing the K1 visa and there is a question about how we met. The I-129f asks if we met through an international marriage broker. I read the "About Us" page on your website but I didn't see anything about you being or not being an IMB "International Marriage Broker". Can you please help clarify for me if you are or are not an IMB so I can answer the question on the I-129f form correctly?

Thank you for your help and for a wonderful website. Because of the service you offer I met the love of my life.

Sincerely,

Brian

Cherry Blossoms Letter back to me

Dear Brian,

Cherry Blossoms is not an International Marriage Broker. There are no introductions or matchmaking services or social referrals between US Citizens and foreign nationals. There are no written consent forms or contracts that members sign. Members search and communicate with others from their own free will. The government has written a very broad definition that includes almost all companies. 

USCIS is now requiring information on the websites (not just CB) that provided dating services between US citizens and foreign nationals. The intent is to try to identify International Marriage Brokers that charge women $10,000 or more to marry a U.S. citizen.  These companies profit from the marriage whether it is a valid marriage or not.  These companies have an agenda in making the marriage happen. 

Your fiancée did not  pay or signed a written consent authorizing the release of personal information. There were no introductions, both of you communicated from your own free will. You may also want to submit a signed letter from your fiancée confirming this fact.

Enclosed is our letter.

Best wishes,

CB Staff

P.S. Our US Visa Support offers an excellent comprehensive visa preparation service. We would be happy to assist you with your questions. For more information please contact us at visa@blossoms.com  or (877)907-8472 for a free consultation. Our telephone hours are M-F 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Hawaii Standard Time.

Hi Christina this is Brian, Marie told me you two had spoken and honestly it would make no difference at all if you even disclosed that month of work you did because it was so brief its almost insignificant. What the embassy and USCIS is looking for most heavily is proof of your ongoing relationship and proof that your fiancée can support you. Your work history and income is of no real significance. What would be of benefit is if you had a degree or some technical skills that would show that you can eventually work but even that is a non issue. The Philippines is full of girls without work looking for their life partner and a better life, why else would you be leaving your home country? Proof of ongoing relationship is the most important, the affidavit of support (I-134) is critical and along with the background check. Since he is in the US military I doubt a criminal background check will be an issue.

Our petition is already filed the end of January and we got our NOA1 about 2 weeks ago. Marie would be happy to talk with you if you have any other questions. Take care and God Bless your visa journey.

We are almost in the same situation, only that my dad works in the ship. To answer your question, nope. Your employment history or the lack thereof would hold no bearing on the visa process.

thanks alot! im scared that they will ask me my income tax, have not filed my income tax since i started working online. do i need to send my bc to to my fiance for his filing?

no

Thank you both for the info, things are getting a little stressful right now and this is a little ray of sunshine that i desperately need Packet should be ready to go Wednesday...

Hello all,

My fiancee and I are days away from filing our petition and I keep finding these little problems with the instructions. My fiancee wants me to use this G-1145 so we can get notified about the acceptance of the petition and I was just going to send it priority mail to the Dallas TX lock box. I went to the USCIS website to verify where it needs to go in the petition packet when I read this...

Where to File :

File Form I-129F at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility:
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266

For USPS Express Mail and courier deliveries :

USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Where to File :

Clip the completed G-1145 to the front of the application or petition you are filing.

Special Instructions :

This service is only available for forms filed at our three Lockbox facilities located in Lewisville, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Phoenix, Arizona.

So after reading that should I even bother to include the G-1145 if I'm sending the petition to Dallas or should I drop the extra cash and send it Express to Lewisville? I have read that some people got a notification and some didn't, maybe that's the reason.

Thanks in advance

Brian

Hello everyone,

I am preparing to file my K-1 petition shortly within the next few days and I just had my fiancee ask me this because I put American for my nationality and she put Filipino. She then came back and told me to change mine to United States... If that were the case then she should put Philippines. I honestly think the question itself is asked somewhat misleading because Citizenship and Nationality aren't even the same thing. I did a little research and found this article that pretty much explained the two words.

(http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-nationality-and-citizenship/)

Nationality can be applied to the country where an individual has been born. Citizenship is a legal status, which means that an individual has been registered with the government in some country.

Nationality is got through inheritance from his parents or it can be called a natural phenomenon. On the other hand an individual becomes a citizen of a country only when he is accepted into that country’s political framework through legal terms.

The US Department of State lists has it correct on US Passports where they list under "Nationality" United States of America. If the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) just followed that rationale there would have been no confusion.

So I really can't see how they expect anyone to answer a question with one answer that really has two unless they really don't understand the question they are asking themselves.

All I can say is that back in 2007 when I filed the K-1 visa for my ex wife and filled out the G-325a I put "American" and never had a problem with that answer. If you put United States, USA or US Citizen I cannot possibly see how you would have a problem with any of those answers since all four would technically be correct.

Hope this helps

Just reading a little more and found this interview with the CEO of Cherry Blossoms Mike Krosky. Not sure what was going on in the Philippines back in the 70's but it must have been pretty crazy...

http://www.onlinepersonalswatch.com/news/2013/10/cherryblossomscom-interview-with-ceo-mike-krosky.html

Quote from interview :

What do you offer in the way of on-the-ground services?

I would say we are strictly idating. We did tours back in 70s/80s and even 90s. Then IMBRA was introduced to regulate international matchmakers. We're really not a matchmaking company. We never felt like that was our place. We got away from the tours because the companies that are doing that in Philippines are walking a fine line. The Philippine government is not that keen on international matchmaking companies because of the problems they had way back in the 70s.

Then hopefully we will be the last to post here

Well the post wasn't really meant to be a walk through of the meeting with my fiancee but we met on the dating site Cherry Blossoms which is basically the same as match.com or eHarmony and I met her while I was already vacationing in the Philippines. I used the Cherry Blossoms site to meet her then we met in person about a week later.

http://www.blossoms.com/ ( Web Address )

The main purpose of my post was to inform people that simple dating sites are not marriage brokers. If someone went through a marriage broker they and their bank account will definitely know it. Most marriage brokers fees are in the thousands. Paying $34 bucks for 3 months is NOT going to get you a phone conversation let alone brokering a marriage. My main point is that after someone pays the fee to access a dating site the site has nothing more to do with their searching, finding, communicating, visiting or marrying any other member from their site.

Even though you can view the profiles on the site which most of the time are free the cost of the membership is to communicate with other members and that's it period! Everything else is up to the members to build the relationship. I also believe Cherry Blossoms only charges the man a fee but I could be wrong.

I know this is an old post but its still comes up when someone does a search. I can definitively put this topic to rest regardless what USCIS or the IMBRA Act states. Here is my post and everything you need to know about Cherry Blossoms is there. It IS NOT a marriage broker site.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/581946-is-cherry-blossoms-an-international-marriage-broker-question-finally-answered/

or

So after days of grinding over this with my girl, stressing about how to answer that damn question on the I-129f, reading all the back and forth about it on here and other similar sites practically rubbing the hair off my head I get an email and here comes the best part. I know your all on the edge of your seats


CHERRY BLOSSOMS IS NOT AND NEVER HAS BEEN AN INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKER

Below you will find the exact copy of the letter I received today (01/13/16) from the Cherry Blossom staff. I have also attached the CB letter as a pdf file in case anyone wants to download and use it when you respond to the RFE you received. It should put a quick end to the sheer insanity created by the the federal government. In my mind if you are going to create an act that legally binds a business to certain laws they SHOULD ALSO make a list of businesses and agencies that ARE Marriage Brokers and a quick list of the ones that are not. I guess that would just be too easy, it's much better to send out hundreds of RFE's, cost the petitioner extra money and cause undue stress while doing nothing to help but only to drag out an already arduous process.

My last comment before I let this post fly is there are members who seem to casually throw out the suggestion "just call USCIS and ask them"... My question to those members is have you ever called USCIS to ask a question? I have called them, so many times... and every time I call I hang up swearing I'll never call them again. The last time I called I was so irritated by the "customer NON service rep" I just finally asked her "what exactly is your function if you can't ever answer any of my questions?" She simply said "its to tell you what forms you need to fill out." I replied "I don't need you to tell me what forms I need to fill out, I know that already. I need you to clarify your questions on the forms". She apologized and said " I'm sorry sir, we are not able to answer any questions about the forms. We are just a call center, we can only tell you which forms you need to fill out". I just couldn't take it anymore, it was like talking to a robot... I mean the USCIS website can do everything these call center people are doing less the irritation of talking with them. I had to take a moment of silence to contain my frustration when she finally asked "is there anything else I can help you with"? All I could think to say was "I doubt it" and hung up. I mean if the prompts alone don't get you irritated when you actually get someone on the phone that will.

I really hope this can help some of you out and I guess if you have any questions please let me know and I'll try to help as best I can. We are planning to submit our petition this Monday and this key piece of information couldn't have come at a better time. She not even awake yet to read this so I'm sure it's gonna be a great day in the Philippines..

Take care everyone and God Bless your Visa Journey

Brian and Marie

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

from: Cherry Blossoms Customer Support <office@blossoms.com> to: Brian A<my email addy@email.com> (edited for privacy) date: Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 3:35 PM subject: Re: Question about IMB mailed-by: blossoms.com

P.S. Our US Visa Support offers an excellent comprehensive visa preparation service. We would be happy to assist you with your questions. For more information please contact us at visa@blossoms.com or (877)907-8472 for a free consultation. Our telephone hours are M-F 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Hawaii Standard Time.

CBSigned08-05-15.pdf