NJ NJ- Simran Simran, 24, Indian national, vanished after arriving in the US for an arranged marriage, 20 June 2025, *Doesn't speak English/no family*

[MelmothTheLost]

<mmo>Over the years, I've known a few Indians who had arranged marriages. Their families were very involved in the 'search', the intros, etc. It seems odd to me that she would have flown here alone, especially speaking no english. Family involvement does provide some security.

Did she arrange this on her own? Was this the first time that she had met the groom? I hope that she didn't arrive to find that they wanted a servant, not a spouse.
</mmo>

Things don't add up here for me. 24 is pretty old for an Indian bride, unless she was a well-educated/professional woman who had completed university before looking to marry. But then, I would very much expect her to speak fluent English and for her to be looking for a similarly educated and professional groom. The fact that she does not speak English at all suggests that she is not educated to any significant degree. How easy would it be for such a woman to obtain a fiance/marriage visa for the US?

And yes - genuine arranged marriages involve the parents and aunties of the woman matchmaking via their networks and, if necessary, making enquiries outside of those networks for a "suitable boy". If that doesn't produce a result, then they may resort to advertising in one or more regional newspapers in India, but in that case the parents and aunties would very much be gatekeeping and reviewing the responses.

 

[Soulmagent]

Things don't add up here for me. 24 is pretty old for an Indian bride, unless she was a well-educated/professional woman who had completed university before looking to marry. But then, I would very much expect her to speak fluent English and for her to be looking for a similarly educated and professional groom. The fact that she does not speak English at all suggests that she is not educated to any significant degree. How easy would it be for such a woman to obtain a fiance/marriage visa for the US?

And yes - genuine arranged marriages involve the parents and aunties of the woman matchmaking via their networks and, if necessary, making enquiries outside of those networks for a "suitable boy". If that doesn't produce a result, then they may resort to advertising in one or more regional newspapers in India, but in that case the parents and aunties would very much be gatekeeping and reviewing the responses.

Pretty easy. She appears desirable ,if that is how your broaching the subject.

 

[Knox]

Things don't add up here for me. 24 is pretty old for an Indian bride, unless she was a well-educated/professional woman who had completed university before looking to marry. But then, I would very much expect her to speak fluent English and for her to be looking for a similarly educated and professional groom. The fact that she does not speak English at all suggests that she is not educated to any significant degree. How easy would it be for such a woman to obtain a fiance/marriage visa for the US?

And yes - genuine arranged marriages involve the parents and aunties of the woman matchmaking via their networks and, if necessary, making enquiries outside of those networks for a "suitable boy". If that doesn't produce a result, then they may resort to advertising in one or more regional newspapers in India, but in that case the parents and aunties would very much be gatekeeping and reviewing the responses.

Thanks for this information. How common is it for a marriage to be arranged with someone in US? Are all marriages in India arranged?

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Pretty easy. She appears desirable ,if that is how your broaching the subject.

Desirable in what way? As I said, she's a bit old for an Indian bride unless very well educated/professional, which she does not appear to be. She is pretty and has a light complexion, which do go in her favour.

I'm curious as to the requirements for obtaining a fiance visa in the US. What conditions, if any, does the prospective groom need to fulfill, eg in terms of income, job stability, to bring a bride in from a poorer country?

 

[Knox]

If someone from India is coming to the United States for an arranged marriage, the type of visa they need—and the steps they must take—depend on when and where the marriage will take place and whether the spouse is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Here are the main scenarios:

⸻

If the marriage will happen in the U.S.

Use the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa

This is for when a U.S. citizen sponsors their fiancé(e) from India to come to the U.S. for marriage.

Requirements:
• The couple must have met in person at least once in the past 2 years (exceptions are rare).
• The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F with USCIS.
• Once approved, the fiancé(e) applies for a K-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate (usually in Mumbai or New Delhi).
• They must marry within 90 days of arriving in the U.S.
• After marriage, the person applies for Adjustment of Status to get a green card.

Timeline:

6–12 months or more, depending on processing times.

⸻

If the marriage will happen in India

Use the CR-1 or IR-1 Spouse Visa

This is for when a U.S. citizen or green card holder marries in India, and the spouse then immigrates to the U.S.

Steps:
1. Get legally married in India.
2. The U.S. citizen or green card holder files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
3. Once approved, the foreign spouse applies for an immigrant visa (CR-1 or IR-1) through consular processing.
4. Once the visa is issued, the spouse can enter the U.S. and will receive a green card upon arrival.

CR-1 vs. IR-1:
• CR-1: If married less than 2 years.
• IR-1: If married more than 2 years.

Timeline:

12–18 months or longer.

⸻

Documents & Costs
• Passport (valid at least 6 months beyond U.S. entry)
• Birth certificates
• Police clearance certificate (PCC)
• Medical exam from approved panel physician
• Proof of relationship (photos, communication, etc.)
• Affidavit of support from U.S. petitioner (Form I-864)
• Fees: Expect around $1,200–$2,000 total (government + medical + documentation fees)

⸻

Important Notes
• Background checks and medical exams are mandatory.
• Visa interviews happen at a U.S. consulate in India (often Mumbai).
• Having an arranged marriage is not a problem, but the couple must prove the marriage is genuine, not just for immigration.


Above is from ChatGPT.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Thanks for this information. How common is it for a marriage to be arranged with someone in US? Are all marriages in India arranged?

I understand that although some of the younger generation in India are finding their own partners, eg someone they were at university with or work with, traditional arranged marriages are still very much the norm for the majority. Even for those who identify a partner for themselves, the committee of aunties will do a lot of vetting and background checking.

No idea how common the practice is in the US these days, but arranged marriages are still very common in the UK amongst people from the sub-continent, even those who've been here for several generations.

 

[Soulmagent]

Desirable in what way? As I said, she's a bit old for an Indian bride unless very well educated/professional, which she does not appear to be. She is pretty and has a light complexion, which do go in her favour.

I'm curious as to the requirements for obtaining a fiance visa in the US. What conditions, if any, does the prospective groom need to fulfill, eg in terms of income, job stability, to bring a bride in from a poorer country?

Yeah so , we meet up in bars and pray for A gem like this girl.
Americans are pretty simple.imo.

 

[Galaxia]

Posibles explicaciones:
Desacuerdo con el matrimonio:
La joven podría haber llegado con la intención de conocer a su prometido y la familia, pero al conocerlos mejor, darse cuenta de que no quiere casarse con él. Esto podría llevarla a huir o desaparecer para evitar la boda.
Matrimonio forzado o explotación:
En algunos casos, los matrimonios arreglados pueden convertirse en matrimonios forzados, donde la joven no tiene voz ni voto en la decisión y está obligada a casarse. Esto podría llevarla a escapar para evitar la situación, o incluso a ser víctima de explotación o trata de personas.
Motivos personales:
El joven podría tener problemas personales o familiares que la llevaron a desaparecer, independientemente de la situación del matrimonio. Podría estar huyendo de algo o alguien, o simplemente querer comenzar una nueva vida lejos de su entorno familiar.
Estrategia para evitar el matrimonio:
La desaparición podría ser una estrategia para evitar el matrimonio y sus consecuencias. En algunas culturas, casarse sin el consentimiento de la familia puede conllevar sanciones sociales o familiares.
Secuestro:
En casos extremos, la joven podría haber sido secuestrada. Aunque menos probable, es una posibilidad que no se debe descartar, especialmente si se sospecha que la joven no quería casarse y no hay indicios de que se haya ido por voluntad propia.
Es importante investigar a fondo cada una de estas posibilidades para determinar la causa de la desaparición y ayudar a la joven si se encuentra en peligro.

 

[Lusitana]

I'm so confused. Who reported her missing? Did the groom ever picked her up from the airport? Is the groom indian too?

 

[Angelcat13]

I'm so confused. Who reported her missing? Did the groom ever picked her up from the airport? Is the groom indian too?

I am lost, too.
At what airport did she arrive?

Where is the boardwalk in the photo? It looks like it could possibly be outside of one of the casinos in Atlantic City.

What is the connection to Lindenwold?

I have a client who is the same age and is also from India. I’ll ask her if she’s heard of this or knows anything about it since we are in the next County over from Lindenwold.

 

[annpats]

I find it very difficult to believe she doesn't speak any English at all. It is taught in all schools in India, and even slum kids can speak English.
Simran doesn't look like she's from a distant remote village, she looks quite western in clothes that she's wearing, and it also states in reports she has a cell phone. So, Indian wise, she seems lower-middle class at least.

I'm also surprised that no-one was there to meet her at the airport, as soon as she landed.....or was she picked up at the airport and escaped later from someone's home?

MOO.

 

[ch_13]

Where is the boardwalk in the photo? It looks like it could possibly be outside of one of the casinos in Atlantic City.

Looks like the Atlantic City Convention Center facing the boardwalk.

You can see the scallop-shaped indentations on the facade look to be the same in both photos.

So who took this picture?


Edit - After thinking about it, the article doesn't say that this is Simran's first time in the U.S. It's possible she was here before to visit the groom's family and determine if there should be a match made. Perhaps these photos are what the family had from a prior visit.

 

[annpats]

Simran is a name usually associated with the Sikh religion and people who speak Punjabi.

Are there are big communities of Sikhs in New Jersey? It's possible she has gone to stay with someone she knows online, or a friend of a friend.....

Origin and Meaning of First Name Simran | Search Family History on Ancestry®.

Is your given name, Simran, a first in your family tree? Part of a cultural tradition? Ancestry® can tell you your first name’s origins plus its meaning.

www.ancestry.com

 

[annpats]

Oh, well, that answers one of my questions.

New Jersey has one of the largest Sikh communities in the United States, nearly 100,000.

Google Search

 

[caradana]

I have hope that she is physically ok and will be found. MOO: in the philosophy of the simplest answer being the right one, I believe she called someone she knew and rolled off to figure out how she’d like her life to go.

 

[Angelcat13]

Simran is a name usually associated with the Sikh religion and people who speak Punjabi.

Are there are big communities of Sikhs in New Jersey? It's possible she has gone to stay with someone she knows online, or a friend of a friend.....

Origin and Meaning of First Name Simran | Search Family History on Ancestry®.

Is your given name, Simran, a first in your family tree? Part of a cultural tradition? Ancestry® can tell you your first name’s origins plus its meaning.

www.ancestry.com

I know my client speaks Punjabi and her parents a lot of other family members travel to India at least yearly and still have property there.