IMBRA compliance on K1 processing??????

[mistah]

I met my fiance thru Cherry Blossoms which as far as I understand is an International marriage broker or a *********** agency, did i get it right?
I read in one article from the website that K1 petition process will take longer process for those couples who met through a *********** agency --- as the new law requires to return k1 application for criminal record examination/clearance. --- i'm afraid that my k1 petition get delayed just for that reason.
Please help to clarify ---- who are these "International Marriage Brokers?" Is Cherry Blossom dating site also one of them?
We are now in the process of preparing K1 petition --- our we covered by this new IMBRA law??? even though we just met there and did not get their services? anyone who is knowledgeable on this... please help to clarify... thanks!

[Amir]

Correction: Cherry Blossoms offers both online dating and match-making services, so technically it depends on which service you used, but in reality, it will boil down to what your conoff believes them to be. It's all about feelings at consulates - evidence takes a back seat at consulates. Why not contact Cherry Blossoms and ask them since you've been a member?

[filipina]

"If you met your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker, you must notify USCIS of that fact by answering Question 19 on this form. The term “international marriage broker” means a corporation, partnership, business, individual, or other legal entity, whether or not organized under any law of the UnitedStates, that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial, *********** services, or social referrals between United States citizens or nationals or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States as lawful permanent residents and foreign national clients by providing personal contact information or otherwise facilitating communication between individuals."

If it walks like a duck it is a duck. Whether it is online dating or *********** they "charge fees" by providing "dating" or "***********" services and "facilitating" communication between members. There business is foreign nationals. Ask them to explain how they are exempt after you read the law. They must have a real creative answer for everyone.

[PraetorianXI]

"If you met your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker, you must notify USCIS of that fact by answering Question 19 on this form. The term “international marriage broker” means a corporation, partnership, business, individual, or other legal entity, whether or not organized under any law of the UnitedStates, that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial, *********** services, or social referrals between United States citizens or nationals or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States as lawful permanent residents and foreign national clients by providing personal contact information or otherwise facilitating communication between individuals."

If it walks like a duck it is a duck. Whether it is online dating or *********** they "charge fees" by providing "dating" or "***********" services and "facilitating" communication between members. There business is foreign nationals. Ask them to explain how they are exempt after you read the law. They must have a real creative answer for everyone.

LOL. Agreed.

There is no reason to "fight" this. It is the law/requirements of USCIS.

[Amir]

Forget the foreign-based services, who can't care less about the IMBRA; I have yet to see one US-based for-fee online dating services that asks any IMBRA-related questions, except perhaps for the children and marital status you enter in your profile. I can't imagine they are all violating the IMBRA.

If worst comes to worst, remember Craig's List, which charges no fees, and as such, it is exempt from the IMBRA.