International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005: Agencies Have Implemented Some, But Not All of the Act's Requirements

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows U.S. citizens (petitioners) to petition for noncitizen fiance(e)s, spouses, and minor children (beneficiaries) to immigrate to the United States.

Some petitioners have criminal histories that could put these beneficiaries at risk of abuse, such as sexual assault.1 The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 (IMBRA)2 was enacted to address issues of domestic violence and abuse against beneficiaries by petitioners, including those who met their foreign born spouses through an international marriage broker (IMB).3 Among other things, IMBRA contains requirements that are intended to ensure that a beneficiary is informed...