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International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2003

Introduced: July 25, 2003 Introduced by: Cantwell, Maria Democratic · Washington See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 25, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9961-9963)
Jul 25, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9960-9961)
Jul 25, 2003
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) from filing more than one application for a K fiance(e) visa in any one-year period.

Amends the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997 to prohibit international marriage brokers from releasing a foreign national client's personal contact information until the broker has informed the foreign national of the rights of domestic violence victims in the United States and received a signed consent to the release. Requires brokers to obtain specified background information from citizen or LPR clients and to forward such information to foreign nationals. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes States to bring civil actions for such violations in the U.S. district courts.

Requires petitioners for fiance(e) visas to undergo criminal history background checks.

Modifies consular processing procedures for fiance(e) visa applications to require specified disclosures to alien applicants.

Amends the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 to require an evaluation of the role of international marriage brokers in facilitating trafficking.

Requires a citizen or LPR client to provide to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as part of a fiance(e) visa petition, the information that such clients are required to submit to brokers under this Act.

Prohibits a fiance(e) visa holder's awareness of the criminal background of a citizen or LPR client from being used as evidence that the marriage was not entered into in good faith.

What's happening now July 25, 2003

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9961-9963)

 Committees of jurisdiction 1