IMBRA Disclosure

What Is IMBRA?

The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 (IMBRA) is a federal law of the United States, codified in 8 U.S.C. § 1375a(d). This legislation was enacted to protect foreign nationals who enter the United States through marriage-based visas, particularly the K-1 fiancée visa.

IMBRA requires mandatory background checks for all sponsors of marriage visas and limits serial visa applications. The law was enacted following tragic cases including Susanna Blackwell (1995) and Anastasia King (2000), where foreign women were killed by men who had used the K-1 visa process.

As an informational website providing resources about international dating, we are committed to transparency regarding the legal framework that governs international marriage brokers and protects both American citizens and foreign nationals seeking marriage.

Legal Requirements Under IMBRA

International marriage brokers operating under U.S. jurisdiction must comply with specific requirements before providing contact information of a foreign client to an American client. These requirements include:

• Sex Offender Registry Verification: Search the National Sex Offender Public Website and relevant state registries
• Criminal History Collection: Gather information about criminal and marital history through documentation or sworn statement
• Information Disclosure: Provide any discovered records to the foreign client in their native language
• Rights Brochure Distribution: Provide the government-produced brochure about rights and resources for victims of domestic violence
• Written Consent: Obtain written consent from the foreign client before transmitting their contact information

These requirements are outlined in Sections 833(d)(2) and (3) of IMBRA and are designed to ensure that foreign nationals are fully informed before entering relationships with American citizens.

Rights of Foreign Fiancées and Spouses

IMBRA mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the State Department (DOS), Department of Justice (DOJ), and non-governmental organizations, develop an informational brochure for foreign fiancées and spouses. This brochure covers:

• The immigration process for K visas (fiancée and spouse visas)
• Legal rights available to immigrants in the United States
• Resources and services for victims of domestic violence
• Information about the illegality of marriage fraud under U.S. law
• Legal obligations in the United States regarding child support and alimony
• Warning about potential misuse of K visas by U.S. citizens with history of violence
• Notification about marriage broker obligations to disclose criminal records

This brochure must be provided to every foreign national applying for a K-1 or K-3 visa at the U.S. consulate before their visa interview.

Obligations of U.S. Citizens

American citizens petitioning for a K visa (fiancée or spouse visa) are required to disclose certain information on Form I-129F. This mandatory disclosure includes:

• Violent Crime Convictions: Any conviction for domestic violence, assault and battery, elder abuse, child abuse, or stalking
• Sexual Crime Convictions: Any conviction for sexual assault or other sexual crimes
• Substance-Related Offenses: Three or more convictions for offenses related to alcohol or controlled substances
• Restraining Orders: Any restraining orders related to domestic violence or harassment

The Department of Homeland Security provides a copy of the petition with this criminal information to the State Department, which then transmits it to the foreign fiancée or spouse. Consular officers must inform applicants that this information may not be complete.

Background Check and Verification Process

IMBRA establishes limitations on K-1 visa sponsorship to prevent abuse of the system. Key restrictions include:

• Petition Limit: A U.S. citizen may sponsor a maximum of 2 K-1 visa petitions during their lifetime
• Waiting Period: A minimum of 2 years must pass between the approval of the last petition and filing a new one
• Waiver Requests: Applicants may request a discretionary waiver from DHS for these limitations
• Waiver Restrictions: Waivers are generally not granted if the applicant has a record of violent crimes

These provisions are codified in Section 832(a)(1) and 8 U.S.C. § 1184(d)(2) and are designed to prevent serial abuse of the immigration system.

Our Compliance Statement

Asian Mail Order Brides is an informational website and does not function as an international marriage broker. We provide reviews, educational content, and resources about international dating platforms that may qualify as international marriage brokers under IMBRA.

We encourage all users of our website to:

• Verify that any dating platform they use is IMBRA-compliant
• Understand their rights and obligations under U.S. immigration law
• Consult with an immigration attorney before filing any visa petition
• Report any suspected violations of IMBRA to the appropriate authorities

For official information about IMBRA requirements and the K-1 visa process, please consult the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website or seek advice from a licensed immigration attorney.

Contact Information

If you have questions about IMBRA compliance or wish to report a potential violation, you may contact:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for consumer protection issues
• Your state's Attorney General office

For questions about this disclosure or our website, please visit our Contact Us page.