EmilyW

Definitely fire that attorney. They are recommending you break the law, and they are dissing the Utah route which has proven highly successful for many. I'd say they are either incompetent or malicious, either of which should make you ditch them.

As mentioned above by another poster, great to see people getting what they voted for. I believe Biden was in power at this time.

OP, I get that you believe you were poorly treated. Border officials can be ornery and difficult from time to time. The reality is, your girl is misusing her B2 and it's in danger if the pattern of coming to the US to live (which you admit is what she was doing - i.e, you were both seeing if living together was viable) continues. She may not have intended to misuse it, but clearly border officials believe she has. You've received good advice for you to visit her in her country, or a third country. That way you get to continue to see each other, without the stress of getting turned around at the border.

Since you were honest at the border and confirmed you were visiting / staying with your partner on all of those trips (which you have confirmed, here, that you were living together, so I assume that is what you told border officials), I don't assume any issues with adjusting status now, so long as you are in the US currently. If you are not in the US, you will need to go through the usual consular processing in Montreal. Someone correct me, if I'm wrong.

Due to Mexicans either crossing illegally or overstaying valid visas, it is fortunate that she obtained a visa. No doubt her family's money, her own good history of travel, and her own demonstrated compliance with visas worked in her favor. She can thank those countrymen and women, who abuse the immigration system, for the restrictions she now unfortunately has to face. I would take advantage of this one stop / one state visa. I know it's not what you hoped for but it's still time together. It's time to show that she can leave and arrive on time. And, hopefully, next time, her visa will be granted for a longer time and with greater flexibility. I'm a silver lining kinda gal - enjoy your vacay and make the most it! Alternatively, since she travels all over the world and you are a US citizen, maybe travel to other countries.

Estimated payments, in my experience, are an offset against future tax liability, not actually incurred liability. They are also voluntary and you are not obliged to pay them: early, late or never. You'll be fine.

What was the reason for the previous withdrawal? Also, have you met as yet, in person?

He has to file his taxes. Until then, it's a moot point.

Has he just not filed his taxes, or has he not paid them at all. Both are issues in different ways. If it's the latter, he needs to pay his taxes. At which point, he needs to figure out if he made enough to require a return being filed. If he didn't make enough, no issue from a taxation perspective. But that will create immigration challenges, as its HIS responsibility to support you and him, as none of us want to be left footing the bill and USCIS will make sure we aren't.

You entered the country legally, and are now legally adjusting status. Not a single iota of evidence anywhere that that will change in the short term. They are deporting violent criminals including child rapists. For your own mental health, stay off social media (X, Insta, Tik Tok et all) which is rife with illusory truths. Stay close to official government sites and sources that are official sources of truth.

To be honest, changing your date of birth sounds real fishy. As for changing names, you will have to declare any / all names, including your former name.

Not a big issue and not something to worry about for citizenship. Thankfully, you are smart, so try not to speed in the future.

OP, if you are not a US citizen, she can't adjust through you. She needs to leave the country before she gets a ban / loses her visa privileges.

File now and do not delay. While the new admin is primarily targeting criminals / gang members, ANYONE out of status is in danger.

Mods, this is one of two identical threads. Can someone please merge?

OP, this is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I believe you are worrying about proving the bonafides of the relationship because, in your own mind, you know this is moving very quickly. Not saying you have doubts necessarily, but you've known each other for three months and have spent three weeks together which is enough time to know if you agree on big life issues, but not necessarily long enough to truly know each other. The good news is, you will have plenty of time after filing to get to know each other and I suspect that, as time goes on, you will feel more and more confident about the process, as you become more and more settled in your marriage. As @Crazy Cat recommends, it would be helpful to have the US citizen participate here, so that we can support you BOTH on this journey.

I sent in both, just to be on the safe side.

This sounds scammy. The joint sponsor is supposed to ensure that the immigrant will not become a public burden. If they ask 'how do you know this sponsor', and you reply 'Well, my lawyer found a sponsor who I don't know, and I paid them $500 to be a joint sponsor', that won't look good, IMO, and won't create the sense of comfort needed to assure them that WE (taxpayers) won't end up having to pay for her. I think it's worth you making sure that you have the financial capability to support her. Take your time figuring out your income, expenses, future earnings etc. And then sponsor her with confidence.

State sponsored terrorism will tend to elongate security and background checks.

No issues, from my perspective.

Based on what you're telling us, the only legal options are Fiance or Spousal visa. Everything else requires some kind of misrepresentation since the long-term goal is to adjust status, which is immigration fraud. You would be using the F1 or H1B as a trojan horse, and immigration knows all about that play. @Crazy Cat has a super comparison between fiance and spousal which he can post. IMO, spousal visa is infinitely superior and protects the incoming beneficiary far more than a K1 does. It's also cheaper in the long run.

Marry her. Adjust status. On the bright side, while this will mean she can't leave the US for a while, she seems motivated to stay here, so that's a good thing.

A shirt collar shouldn't be an issue. So long as the face is clear, there are no shadows, etc, it will be fine. And just to help you out, I remember stressing over every minor detail as I went through the process. Issues that I thought for sure would disqualify us. Turned out, I was stressing over nothing. The DV is a beast of a process, and it tests your last nerve multiple times. Stay calm. Stay the course. And enjoy getting what I consider to be one of the best visas!

If you're already in the Philippines with her, why not marry and get the spousal visa instead? That way, when she lands in the US she has a Green Card, can start working immediately, no issues with adjustment of status etc.