International Bride Brokers regulated.

As the International Bride Broker industry thrives, instances of abuse thrive as well within this highly problematic relationship between men from Western countries *buying* women from the Third World to marry. At least some policy makers have noticed. The final version of VAWA passed in December, and as of March 6th it is federal law that that mail-order brides brought to the United States must be informed of their immigration rights and existing criminal histories of their husbands-to-be.

Immigration officials will be required to deny anyone seeking within a two-year period to sponsor a second fiancee or stop any petitions for a third fiancee visa.
Marriage brokers, for their part, are required to conduct searches of state and federal sexual predator databases on all their male clients and provide any findings along with marriage history, information on children under 18 and criminal records to prospective brides before making an introduction. They are also required to obtain written consent from a woman before providing her contact information to any man.
In cases where a marriage broker is found to have violated the law, civil and criminal penalties include a $25,000 fine and a five-year prison term maximum per violation.

Obviously this is a very important law and we are glad it was passed. But does anyone else see something really really wrong with men *buying* their wives online? And don’t even get me started on the hideously violent and disempowering relationship between the Western man and the *third world woman* subject/object and stuff. (clearly I have no patience today.)
via Women’s enews.