BrianMarie2014

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.

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
 
Brian 
Jan 12, 2016, 8:45 AM
   
 
  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
 
 
 
Cherry Blossoms Customer Support <office@blossoms.com>
Jan 13, 2016, 3:35 PM
   
 
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.
 

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  

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
 
Brian 
Jan 12, 2016, 8:45 AM
   
 
  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
 
 
 
Cherry Blossoms Customer Support <office@blossoms.com>
Jan 13, 2016, 3:35 PM
   
 
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.
 

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

That's not true for all countries. Remember it's different from country to country how it's done.
For AU I do believe you need the Case number from NVC before you can book your medical. You might want to ask them (The AU forum) since it's a specific question to that country.
Good luck on your journey

I completely agree! I like to check daily as well but I don't get upset if nothing has changed.