IMBRA
International Marriage Broker Regulation Act

IMBRA is an act passed by congress in 2005 as part of the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

How IMBRA Helps

  • A domestic violence pamphlet
  • Disclosure to fiance of criminal history
  • Requires upfront disclosure of criminal history when using a marriage broker

How it's Abused

  • Portraying unconvicted arrests as fact
  • Interviewing officer bias
  • Denials under false bona fide relationship claim

How it's Broken

  • No pamphlet given
  • Confidential names released
Violations of IMBRA and public law are being committed by the Embassy in Phnom Penh and very possibly in other US Embassies around the world.

Proposed Changes to IMBRA

  • Require distinction between arrest and conviction
  • Allow fiance to decide if they have been in a domestic partnership over a year
  • Have the officer only see the conviction details once they've decided to approve or deny
  • Only full disclosure if approved. Otherwise simply read the convictions (title only).

Proposed BOCA Changes

  • Fix FOIA issues with Embassies.

My Personal Experience

I believe that my K-1 fiance visa was denied unfairly by the Embassy. I believe that they misused IMBRA in that it gave them information causing bias by the officer. The reason for the rejection officially was "not a geniune relationship" but I do not believe the officer doubts that we have a genuine relationship. I believe the officer used us not having an engagement party as an excuse for denying the visa.

Laws & Policies Broken.

Click here to view laws and policies I experienced being broken by the Embassy.

The Embassy has been sloppy at best. Given the vast amount of mistakes made I find it unfair that I'm not allowed to present evidence to overcome their presumptions.

Communication Timeline.

Click here to view the back and forth communication I've had with the Embassy.

The Embassy has been giving me the run around. It appears I might not be able to get a Freedom of Information Act out of them. It appears they are unwilling to answer any questions.

Proof of Our Relationship

118 Photos+
Initial Application

108 Photos
Brought to Interview.

  • We have lived together for nearly 5 years
  • We have traveled together: 3x Thailand, 4x Malaysia, 1x Singapore, 1x Myanmar.
  • My oldest son lived with us for a year and a half
  • My mother has visited twice and daughter once
  • Provided a receipt for land we purchased together in 2018 (has me as a witness)

Intent to Marry

In addition to showing a photo of the custom wedding dress and brides maid dress we provided receipts for:
  • Rental of a cabin
  • Wedding chappel reservation
  • Tickets to Anakeesta for wedding photos
  • 2 night hotel for honeymoon
  • Opry tickets + backstage pass for honeymoon
There are many more items we provided to establish proof of the other requirements (such as birth certificates, tax documents, bank statements, home purchase in US, etc.).

If There is Something Else Needed Tell Us and We'll Provide It