Cali Charm's website is down

[Dan]

Well it might be enough if anyone ever got their visa denied for meeting their spouse at a marriage agency that didn't comply with IMBRA. Can't say that I've ever run into anyone having that problem.

How would they know? The Consular Officer is under no obligation to provide a reason for a denial. There are at least a couple of ways in which a CO might become suspicious of the interviewee or the responses connected to IMBRA that could lead to a visa denial - and there would be no way for you to know it was IMBRA-related.

- Dan

[Calipro]

CP,

Over in the left frame, you will find a link to IMBRA in the 'Information' block. Clicking on it takes you to a page with another link that takes you to the text of IMBRA, and if you click on that and navigate to Sec. 833(d)(4)(A), you will find this text:

Please pay particular attention to the emboldened text that I emphasized.

How do you interpret that language?

If you want to learn about the enforcement options available, please refer to H.R. 3402 Sec. 833(d)(5) "Penalties."

And BTW - if you read the actual IMBRA text, please don't mention Sec. 833(d)(4)(B) to bcc_1_2. If he actually read it - and understood it (comprehension does not seem his strongsuit) - it might manage to damage some (much?) of his abject ignorance.

- Dan

Well I read the text and I think we can both agree that the US government would like to regulate marriage agencies whether or not they are based in a foreign country as long as they cater to americans. But that doesn't change the simple fact that the vast majority of foreign marriage agencies make no attempt to comply with the law and there haven't been any consequences as far as I know of.

Seems to me that if someone got their visa denied because they met their wife through an agency that didn't comply with IMBRA it would have been at least talked about at some point.

If the US government was really serious about making foreign marriage agencies comply it seems to me that they would force the colombian government to enact laws to force compliance on colombian marriage  agencies or give couples a hard time for using their services. (of course there are already tons of laws in Colombia that are not enforced at all or randomly enforced)

[Calipro]

How would they know? The Consular Officer is under no obligation to provide a reason for a denial. There are at least a couple of ways in which a CO might become suspicious of the interviewee or the responses connected to IMBRA that could lead to a visa denial - and there would be no way for you to know it was IMBRA-related.

- Dan

Colombian nationals have their visas denied all the time without a reason. I have never heard of an american having his wife or fiancess visa denied without a reason being given if the american is standing there. It is really the american who is requesting the visa in the first place and entitled to due process.

[Dan]

Well I read the text and I think we can both agree that the US government would like to regulate marriage agencies whether or not they are based in a foreign country as long as they cater to americans. But that doesn't change the simple fact that the vast majority of foreign marriage agencies make no attempt to comply with the law and there haven't been any consequences as far as I know of.

Seems to me that if someone got their visa denied because they met their wife through an agency that didn't comply with IMBRA it would have been at least talked about at some point.

If the US government was really serious about making foreign marriage agencies comply it seems to me that they would force the colombian government to enact laws to force compliance on colombian marriage  agencies or give couples a hard time for using their services. (of course there are already tons of laws in Colombia that are not enforced at all or randomly enforced)

>>If the US government was really serious about making foreign marriage agencies comply it seems to me that they would force the colombian government to enact laws to force compliance on colombian marriage  agencies<<

There are easier enforcement mechanisms available to US authorities.

- Dan

[Calipro]

>>If the US government was really serious about making foreign marriage agencies comply it seems to me that they would force the colombian government to enact laws to force compliance on colombian marriage  agencies<<

There are easier enforcement mechanisms available to US authorities.

- Dan

Then why don't they use them?

I seriously doubt if the US government has secretly denied visas to couples for meeting through a non-complying agency. But even if they did, I can't see how it would be much of deterrent if no one knows why they were being punished.

[Larry178]

Dan:

Do you know if there was a reporting provision with IMBRA and what it covered, how often and to whom?  If there was, have you found any links?

Larry

[Dan]

Dan:

Do you know if there was a reporting provision with IMBRA and what it covered, how often and to whom?  If there was, have you found any links?

Larry

Larry,

Over in the left frame, there is a link to "IMBRA" - and from there, you can find the GAO Report completed in August 2008. Page 24 of that report addresses reporting responsibilities mandated by IMBRA for both DOS and USCIS. GAO goes on to identify what was, and was not, collected by those agencies.

- Dan

[Larry178]

Thanks Dan.

Larry

[Researcher]

 Enforcement of IMBRA lies with US Attorney General's office and the FBI.I would not take a chance right now that it will continue as it is.Like I have stated before, I have seen things change from the time I met my wife until our interview at the embassy.
They asked how we met: we answered truthfully by saying thru an IMB.Then they wanted the name of the IMB and contact information.Luckily, LAI(where we met)is IMBRA compliant.Nelson, the owner , happens to know quite a bit about US and Colombian law.

 To repeat: I WOULD NOT TAKE THE CHANCE.

  As far as agency owners.I wonder what is going to happen when someone involved in human trafficking uses one of thewomen from their agencies.I'm sure the US government is going to want to involve the agency owner as being somewhat responsible.All it will take is one instance.

 Researcher

[Calipro]

Enforcement of IMBRA lies with US Attorney General's office and the FBI.I would not take a chance right now that it will continue as it is.Like I have stated before, I have seen things change from the time I met my wife until our interview at the embassy.
They asked how we met: we answered truthfully by saying thru an IMB.Then they wanted the name of the IMB and contact information.Luckily, LAI(where we met)is IMBRA compliant.Nelson, the owner , happens to know quite a bit about US and Colombian law.

 To repeat: I WOULD NOT TAKE THE CHANCE.

  As far as agency owners.I wonder what is going to happen when someone involved in human trafficking uses one of thewomen from their agencies.I'm sure the US government is going to want to involve the agency owner as being somewhat responsible.All it will take is one instance.

 Researcher

What chance wouldn't you take?

Colombian TV had colombian mail order brides on TV years ago that had been beaten and locked in a room for months at  time. I don't think any colombiana has been shot dead in a court room like that little filipina from I believe Washington.

I guess at some point one of should inform the agency owner that it isn't impossible to get extradited and put on trail in the U.S. hehehe !!!

Maybe then they'll start to consider complying with IMBRA.

[Jeff S]

I seriously doubt if the US government has secretly denied visas to couples for meeting through a non-complying agency. But even if they did, I can't see how it would be much of deterrent if no one knows why they were being punished.

Where have I seen a similar post before? Oh yeah with a response from our friendly local immigration attorney:

I doubt they ever push to deny based on the IMB portion of the law, because they know it is unconstitutional if they deny a visa based on it. If they deny a VISA based on IMB portion of the law and then get sued, the law will be thrown out. They don't want that. As it stands it is mostly symbolic, to pacify the feminazi's. Now of course they can say they deny for other reasons as a guise, but if you get a good lawyer you shouldn't have problems.

Sorry, dude. You are wrong wrong wrong here. They deny nonimmigrant visas all the time. The right of the sovereign to control who enters and under what conditions is controlling.

They cant stop you from MARRYING whoever you want but they can deny a fiancee visa. And IMBRA gives them a specific ground to deny.

[Calipro]

Where have I seen a similar post before? Oh yeah with a response from our friendly local immigration attorney:

Sorry, dude. You are wrong wrong wrong here. They deny nonimmigrant visas all the time. The right of the sovereign to control who enters and under what conditions is controlling.

They cant stop you from MARRYING whoever you want but they can deny a fiancee visa. And IMBRA gives them a specific ground to deny.

Let me refrase: I seriously doubt if couples have been secretly denied IMMIGRANT (Spousal) and Fiancess Visas for simply having met through a non-complying agency. Because that would mean hardly anyone that met through a marriage agency could get a visa because I don't know of one that even attempts to comply with IMBRA.

Of course IMBRA still stops certain individuals from getting financee visas due to a criminal background or simply having applied for too many fiancess visas.

[bcc_1_2]

Are you suggesting that is your interpretation of the ONLY enforcement options available to US Authorities?

Are you planning to answer the questions I posed earlier?

- Dan

This seems a little one sided. Didn't I ask for proof about Cali Charm's ownership after you said you had it? Regardless I've already been branded as an anti agency person even though I've even mentioned recently that I was in Mexico with a friend looking at the feasibility of starting an agency/dating site and marketing it to young men in the USA.

Regardless I've made the decision that if I use an agency in future trips I will ask them to comply with IMBRA. I'll fill out the sheet and email it to them. I'll personally make sure they follow through before I use them. I'm only willing to speak for myself. I don't like IMBRA. I want any agency I do business with in the future to be 100% sure they are in full compliance for my situation at least. You can flame me because I've already used a couple and didn't make them do it. But not again.

As for the Cali Charm owner. If he is a single gringo I think we all have the right to know. And I won't call you a troll or hate on you for bringing it up either. IMO if you are holding yourself out as an expert and you don't have a successful relationship with a latina that makes you well... anything but an expert. Or if you are using employees as fronts for you to be the single gringo bedalatina owner... that is very bad.

[Researcher]

What chance wouldn't you take?

      I would not take the chance of using a non-imbra compliant agency.

[Dan]

This seems a little one sided. Didn't I ask for proof about Cali Charm's ownership after you said you had it? Regardless I've already been branded as an anti agency person even though I've even mentioned recently that I was in Mexico with a friend looking at the feasibility of starting an agency/dating site and marketing it to young men in the USA.

Regardless I've made the decision that if I use an agency in future trips I will ask them to comply with IMBRA. I'll fill out the sheet and email it to them. I'll personally make sure they follow through before I use them. I'm only willing to speak for myself. I don't like IMBRA. I want any agency I do business with in the future to be 100% sure they are in full compliance for my situation at least. You can flame me because I've already used a couple and didn't make them do it. But not again.

As for the Cali Charm owner. If he is a single gringo I think we all have the right to know. And I won't call you a troll or hate on you for bringing it up either. IMO if you are holding yourself out as an expert and you don't have a successful relationship with a latina that makes you well... anything but an expert. Or if you are using employees as fronts for you to be the single gringo bedalatina owner... that is very bad.

>>This seems a little one sided.<<

Yeah, it *is* one-sided.

>>Didn't I ask for proof about Cali Charm's ownership after you said you had it?<<

I don't know - did you? Not that I would have produced it for you - but I *would* and I *will* produce it should Roy (the *REAL* owner of Cali Charm) decide to come aboard and dispute what I have stated.

Are you planning to answer my questions?

Here they are again:

Are you suggesting that is your interpretation of the ONLY enforcement options available to US Authorities? (ref: http://www.planet-love.com/forum/index.php?topic=4271.msg47929#msg47929 for context).

Are you claiming I am lying? and
You assert yourself as competent to make decisions as to IMBRA compliance? (ref: http://www.planet-love.com/forum/index.php?topic=4271.msg47920#msg47920 for context).

Do you KNOW, exactly, what the [IMBRA] exclusionary conditions are? If so, have you applied those exclusionary conditions to "damn near all agencies"?
(ref: http://www.planet-love.com/forum/index.php?topic=4271.msg47851#msg47851 for context).

Looking forward to your ANSWERS.

- Dan

[bcc_1_2]

>>This seems a little one sided.<<

Yeah, it *is* one-sided.

>>Didn't I ask for proof about Cali Charm's ownership after you said you had it?<<

I don't know - did you? Not that I would have produced it for you - but I *would* and I *will* produce it should Roy (the *REAL* owner of Cali Charm) decide to come aboard and dispute what I have stated.

Are you planning to answer my questions?

Here they are again:

Are you suggesting that is your interpretation of the ONLY enforcement options available to US Authorities? (ref: http://www.planet-love.com/forum/index.php?topic=4271.msg47929#msg47929 for context).

Are you claiming I am lying? and
You assert yourself as competent to make decisions as to IMBRA compliance? (ref: http://www.planet-love.com/forum/index.php?topic=4271.msg47920#msg47920 for context).

Do you KNOW, exactly, what the [IMBRA] exclusionary conditions are? If so, have you applied those exclusionary conditions to "damn near all agencies"?
(ref: http://www.planet-love.com/forum/index.php?topic=4271.msg47851#msg47851 for context).

Looking forward to your ANSWERS.

- Dan

My answer is if they aren't doing the background checks I won't use them anymore. Since I am not an attorney. Are their any attorney's that would advise me any differently?

Oh and Dan. If you are going to make claims about Cali Charm. Why should anyone take you seriously if you don't back it up? I was down there and I don't have any hard evidence on it. If you don't back your claims up what is to stop anyone from making false claims against any business?

I know for a fact the Cali Charm owner is a 300lbs lesbian from San Francisco.   

[Dan]

My answer is if they aren't doing the background checks I won't use them anymore. Since I am not an attorney. Are their any attorney's that would advise me any differently?

Oh and Dan. If you are going to make claims about Cali Charm. Why should anyone take you seriously if you don't back it up? I was down there and I don't have any hard evidence on it. If you don't back your claims up what is to stop anyone from making slanderous claims against any business?

I know for a fact the Cali Charm owner is a 300lbs lesbian from San Francisco.   

>>My answer is if they.....<<

That is an "answer" to WHAT - exactly?!?

>>If you are going to make claims about Cali Charm. Why should anyone take you seriously if you don't back it up?<<

bcc - it may come as a surprise to you, but I don't give a rat's ass if YOU take me seriously or not.

Any thinking person will recognize that I have made a claim - and I will stand behind that claim should the person who has a 'dog in the fight' choose to come here and dispute it. He won't - because he knows it is the truth. BUT - if you want to urge Roy, or Ximena, to visit and take issue with my claim - by all means - have a ball.

>>If you don't back your claims up what is to stop anyone from making slanderous claims against any business?<<

I am prepared to back up my claims - and I will, if and when the subject of my claims makes an appearance to dispute them.

>>I know for a fact the Cali Charm owner is a 300lbs lesbian from San Francisco.<<

Maybe you do bcc - maybe you do . . . .

Now - are you going to answer any of my questions previously posed?

- Dan

[Jamie]

Now - are you going to answer any of my questions previously posed?

I think it is wrong of us to ask Bcc to answer any questions. He has demonstrated an inability to read and understand. We shouldn’t assume he knows what a “question” is.

You are talking about a guy who gives the board an analogy about marriage agencies being kind of like for profit colleges with out actually using for profit colleges in his analogy.

Maybe Bcc thinks questions are like flies and should be waved off.

[bcc_1_2]

Maybe Bcc thinks questions are like flies and should be waved off.

Sure you aren't the fly your possibly soon to be ex wife didn't tell to buzz off? Speaking of questions waved off how is the wife? I really just can't get mad right nowThe cutest little girl got in touch with me from San Pedro Sula a few days ago. All I can say is the social networking sites that didn't cost me a darn thing sure did pay off. Now I just booked my fiight to SAP for 395 bucks.

If all you guys want to spend thousands of bucks with Jamie who can't even manage to handle a background check be my guest (to be fair practically none of the agenices do it). In 2 days I'm off to San Pedro Sula. I've got a bunch of drunk friends to drive home so ya know what. see ya... LOL peace.

Just an FYI for you guys. The girl got in touch with me from myspace. So if you don't have a profile up... my advice. get a profile up. Works like a charm. Want to continue insulting me for suggesting Jamie is over priced, doesn't comply with IMBRA, and isn't even successful with his own personal relationship? That's cool I'm going to go hang with with the finest girl I've ever seen (with via pics and a webcam anyways). I'll have to rephrase that Cartman line a little. Screw you I'm going to Tela.  peace.

[Dan]

Sure you aren't the fly your possibly soon to be ex wife didn't tell to buzz off? Speaking of questions waved off how is the wife? I really just can't get mad right nowThe cutest little girl got in touch with me from San Pedro Sula a few days ago. All I can say is the social networking sites that didn't cost me a darn thing sure did pay off. Now I just booked my fiight to SAP for 395 bucks.

If all you guys want to spend thousands of bucks with Jamie who can't even manage to handle a background check be my guest (to be fair practically none of the agenices do it). In 2 days I'm off to San Pedro Sula. I've got a bunch of drunk friends to drive home so ya know what. see ya... LOL peace.

Just an FYI for you guys. The girl got in touch with me from myspace. So if you don't have a profile up... my advice. get a profile up. Works like a charm. Want to continue insulting me for suggesting Jamie is over priced, doesn't comply with IMBRA, and isn't even successful with his own personal relationship? That's cool I'm going to go hang with with the finest girl I've ever seen (with via pics and a webcam anyways). I'll have to rephrase that Cartman line a little. Screw you I'm going to Tela.  peace.

I take it that means you are NOT going to answer my questions?

- Dan

[bcc_1_2]

I take it that means you are NOT going to answer my questions?

- Dan

Quid Pro Quo big guy.

[Researcher]

Because that would mean hardly anyone that met through a marriage agency could get a visa because I don't know of one that even attempts to comply with IMBRA.

   Check this out:http://www.latinintro.com/imbra.asp


   Now you know of at least one.
 
   Researcher

[Calipro]

   Check this out:http://www.latinintro.com/imbra.asp


   Now you know of at least one.
 
   Researcher

Actually I think TLC also abides by IMBRA but I don't consider TLC nor latinintro a full service agency.

[Dan]

Quid Pro Quo big guy.

Sadly, I think you *meant* to write that.

ROFLMAO

- Dan

[bcc_1_2]

Sadly, I think you *meant* to write that.

ROFLMAO

- Dan

All the phrase means is something for something. Ok big guy?  I've gotta pack but maybe when I get back in town you'll have posted this evidence about Cali Charm having a gringo owner who uses local people as a front. If that happens I guess I'll have to retract the fat lesbian statement. We shall see I guess.