Okay, first of all: I have severe anxiety and my mind is spiralling over this. I am also currently on waiting lists for therapy, but I just feel I need to ask someone for any insight they have to offer, as much as I am scared the news will be bad.
So for context, I entered the US on an ESTA in December to visit my long distance US citizen boyfriend and was taken into secondary inspection for what I assume were the following reasons:
I was unemployed, so weak ties to the UK and potential suspicion of looking for work in the US.
I live with my parents back home, so no lease, which again, shows weak ties to the UK.
Visiting a long distance boyfriend, so suspicion of potential immigrant intent and overstaying.
I was prepared for this, again due to having anxiety and wanting to prepare for every outcome. The proof I had to show ties to my country proved enough for the border agent in secondary, and were as follows:
Medical assessment from Universal Credit (the benefit system in the UK) that deems me currently unfit for work due to health reasons.
The terms of my agreement with Universal Credit (which was my only source of income at the time) which states that I must live in the UK to receive the benefit.
A return flight for December 14th (I entered on December 1st)
I then also told the officer verbally that Universal Credit states that I cannot be out of the country for longer than a month without losing my only source of income, which is a fact.
I was admitted into the US after he asked me to confirm my return flight and to write down the name of my health condition, and then he typed in what I presume are the notes for about 10 minutes (maybe less, all I know is I was very anxious in that room so time really felt like it dragged.)
On December 11th, my boyfriend proposed to me with the plan to come marry me in the UK, and said that if I wanted to, we could extend the trip so we can spend the holidays together. I checked my I-94 online before changing anything, and my I-94 states I was admitted until 28th February 2023. My boyfriend offered to financially help me with the losses I would have for Universal Credit, and we decided to extend the trip to February 12th, as we knew it would be my last US trip before we file for the US spouse visa. His birthday is early February, so it meant we got to spend Christmas and both our birthdays together, and I left before my I-94 date.
What I want to ask is if my spouse visa could be in trouble due to this? I did not lie to the border agent upon entry. Everything I told him was fact, especially the Universal Credit terms which can be proven in their terms and conditions. I also contacted Universal Credit when I returned to the UK to offer to pay back the months I am not entitled to, and I have repaid that.
I have read horror stories of misrepresentation and consular officers not looking at evidence provided at the interview, and although I can swear that what I told the border agent was the truth and that I did not overstay the date on my I-94, my brain is convincing me right now that changing my travel plans is going to make it look like a lie and they will deny my visa with a lifetime ban.
I realise I will very likely have difficulties for future tourist admission attempts, especially on ESTA, due to a deviation from stated travel plans, but I have no intent of visiting the US while we wait for the spouse visa. My fiancé will be visiting me in the UK whenever he can while we wait for that.
Does anybody have any insight about this? I am so worried. I feel like I have ruined my chances of being with the man I love. I have emailed immigration lawyers for consultations, but they are simply too expensive for me right now. Can somebody offer their perspective?
