CMI agrees with the overall intent of the law and it goal to protect women who immigrate to the USA on a Fiancée (K-1) or Spouse (K-3) Visa. What we disagree with is the way it is that the protection appears to only apply to those that met through an Introduction services or Internet site while Web sites such as Match.com are exempt even thought they provide the same service. Some sites, who do not charge for membership seem to believe that their sites are not subject to IMBRA as well as sites who are located overseas. Regardless, if you meet through a web site, you may still be required to answer the questions on the Form I-129F and Web sites may be held liable if they do not comply.
We also believe the law, while using gender neutral language, it is aimed mainly at men in the USA seeking wives overseas, specifically since the IMBRA is part of the Violence Against Women Act. Actual statistics do not support the language in the IMBRA law regarding violence towards women who decide to immigrate to the USA on a K-1 or K-3 visa. Since the IMBRA applies to only those that met through a company or Web site deemed to be an International Marriage Broker, to us this rule alone would cause men who fit in the criminal or spousal abuse category to use those other sites. We feel the $455 cost of a K-1 or K-3 eliminates quite a few men from applying. Ten years ago, the fee was only $75.
We feel that there are already sufficient laws to protect women who migrate to the USA. But do agree that information regarding their rights and way to protect themselves is not readily available in their own language. This, however, could be easily corrected by the Immigration services providing the information in several languages. Even now, US immigration services has not provided the pamphlets required by IMBRA regarding the rights for those coming to the USA on a K-1 or K-3 visa.
IMBRA wants to protect women from communicating with men who have been convicted of a violent sex offense or violent crimes. They also want women to know if the men they plan on marrying have applied for previous K Visa, or they are divorced and have children. Noble, to be sure, but these laws do not prevent these same men from contacting and marrying women living in the USA or foreign women who met by means other than the Internet. A government, no matter how well-intentioned, should be making the decision of who their citizens can or cannot contact or who they can or cannot marry. Not everyone wants to get married, but may only be interested in meeting women in other countries to exchange views and for friendship. Most member never know if it will lead to marriage or the application for K-1 or K-3 visas.
Many years ago, all states in the USA required a blood test before issuing a marriage license. This practice, even in light of the Aids epidemic, no longer exists--so much for government protection. We see IMBRA law as a way of preventing or limiting immigration and not all about protecting foreign women from predators. It seems more of a scare tactic designed to intimidate US men from meeting women overseas and bringing women to the the USA.
Regardless of our feeling, until the law is modified or overturned, CMI will comply as is possible and expect our members to understand and comply. If you are a US citizen or a non-citizen residing in the USA and want to use our Private Introduction Services, you will need to comply with IMBRA. Also you cannot request or obtain the Personal Contact Information of any member on this site without complying with IMBRA.
