Gosia & Tito

Not, it is NOT paying taxes, is the filing of a return what I'm talking about. Filing a return does not equate to paying taxes, two different but related matters.
As for exceptions for being resident in another country, it depends on what country is involved, I am not a tax expert nor have experience with Philippines; but I have been resident in other countries and sometimes those exceptions applied and sometimes they did not. It is true that there is a ceiling when resident in another country and are there double taxation treaties with many countries (so one does not pay taxes in 2 countries for the same income) etc. But I digress...
What happens is that for practical purposes, if you don't have to pay taxes (because of low income, resident in other country or whatever), if you don't file, IRS will not go look for you, but many immigration benefits require a tax transcript/return, again is not about paying taxes, it is about filing a return; both things often get assumed to be same. The IRS guys are concerned only about whether you need to pay/file or not, but they can't speak on the immigration aspects.

Not, it is NOT paying taxes, is the filing of a return what I'm talking about. Filing a return does not equate to paying taxes, two different but related matters.
As for exceptions for being resident in another country, it depends on what country is involved, I am not a tax expert nor have experience with Philippines; but I have been resident in other countries and sometimes those exceptions applied and sometimes they did not. It is true that there is a ceiling when resident in another country and are there double taxation treaties with many countries (so one does not pay taxes in 2 countries for the same income) etc. But I digress...
What happens is that for practical purposes, if you don't have to pay taxes (because of low income, resident in other country or whatever), if you don't file, IRS will not go look for you, but many immigration benefits require a tax transcript/return, again is not about paying taxes, it is about filing a return; both things often get assumed to be same. The IRS guys are concerned only about whether you need to pay/file or not, but they can't speak on the immigration aspects.

Not, it is NOT paying taxes, is the filing of a return what I'm talking about. Filing a return does not equate to paying taxes, two different but related matters.
As for exceptions for being resident in another country, it depends on what country is involved, I am not a tax expert nor have experience with Philippines; but I have been resident in other countries and sometimes those exceptions applied and sometimes they did not. It is true that there is a ceiling when resident in another country and are there double taxation treaties with many countries (so one does not pay taxes in 2 countries for the same income) etc. But I digress...
What happens is that for practical purposes, if you don't have to pay taxes (because of low income, resident in other country or whatever), if you don't file, IRS will not go look for you, but many immigration benefits require a tax transcript/return, again is not about paying taxes, it is about filing a return; both things often get assumed to be same. The IRS guys are concerned only about whether you need to pay/file or not, but they can't speak on the immigration aspects.

You might want to have your school letter to also indicate
1. how long you've been in the degree program and how far you are into: if say you are getting a 4 year bachelor and you are 3 years into it, it gives some evidence that you would be returning to complete.
2. your academic standing: if you are flunking and about to be suspended/kick out, then no much of an incentive to return; on the other side, if you need to come back to defend your thesis for example, then it would show evidence that you would come back.
3. what is the vacation/holiday time, when are you expected back.
Do you have a job or internship awaiting your return? Document it.
You will also need to show you have sufficient funds to cover your stay, 3 months is a long stay and it is not cheap. You might be asked how are you going to support that 3 month stay.
Good luck

Good luck on your journey. Wish you both the best.
You might want to keep a journal and details of your petition, it will help many others

Let me start by stating that I (and many others here) do not condone lying (to USCIS) under any circumstance; moreover the cardinal rule is to never lie to them.
In the long run, This accomplishes nothing except making rules more stringent for the people coming behind us.
That said, I believe what this OP is trying to get across is that the airline at the home country would not accept an expired GC (with extension letter), and will not let them board, essentially leaving them stranded.
To OP: Don't blame USCIS, even when they might not be the friendliest and most efficient bunch; it is up to you, the one getting a benefit (not a right) to plan.
How?
1. Not traveling if you believe you would have problems getting back with an expired GC;
2. Obtain/secure a letter from the airline you are traveling, essentially clearing you up for travel to any of their front desk, even more, you can get them to specifically contact the Sri Lanka manager and make sure it's all clear; airlines most often will make big efforts to help a customer (yes, they will still cramp you in coach and serve food that you might not normally eat under a different circumstance; but you would be surprised of what you can get them do if you ask nicely and firmly);
3. Verify with the airline that the rumors you have heard are truth or not and then ask for the letter and make the manager in Sri Lanka aware as noted in 2 above.
If everyone here followed your logic, we all would be making up things to travel before the AP is granted, Where does it stop?
We all here know well that AP, visas, etc can take longer than expected and trash plans, consequently, we plan for that.
I really hope you do not get a direct question at the airport upon coming back, because you either tell the truth and accept the consequences, or lie yet again, and that can backfire at a later time...And, as others have noted here, I wouldn't discount that USCIS personnel read postings here....
Good luck

Besides what others have advised, I'd say to stick to the facts. Remove all opinions from letter, and just note facts. Then, add proof of those facts. That should be the closing of the immigration side; then protect your assets (cancel joint accounts, credit cards, etc) and seek an attorney for divorce and move on with your life. Don't give her another thought, not worth it. Focus on yourself and your life.
The sooner you put all this behind the better for you. Yes, it sucks, but you do have the rest of your life ahead of you, and without her dragging you down.
Good luck

To all the above advised by others:
even if a visa does in fact happen, at arrival in the US she will be asked reason for visit and she would have to declare she is visiting you, otherwise it could be construed as lying, which would make things even worst for your case. If she thus declare she is visiting you (the boyfriend or fiance) then she might be denied admission and be put in the flight back.
Of course, the decision is yours; we are here only advising and noting possible outcomes. Note that no one here has a crystal ball and despite all the things against you, she might get a visa and be admitted; only way to know is to try it. Just seems the odds are against and money can be better spent in a different way.
I'd instead plan on a marriage in her country asap and a CR-1, then plan on some get together in a third country while CR-1 is in process. As many here would relate, one has to be realistic and even 'worst case' scenario when dealing with USCIS and CBP. And yes, it is hard to be apart, but fully survivable; many here have gone through it and are now happily married and together.
Good luck

DOn't want to hijack the oiginal post, but K1 implies fiance/fiancee; the waters have been tested or presumed tested; the government can't and should not be hand holding people. DOS can only approve or not based on the presented petition and its supporting documentation. People (us) are supposed to be the first line of filtering against fraud. Yes, scams will be still happen, can't be avoided. Ultimately, there are inherent challenges and risks involved in a cross-cultural, international relationship and each one of us has accepted that (or should accept that), end up scammed is one of those risks. Not blaming the OP at all. Some scam artists are very very good. The only one who can decide direction at this point is the OP, much advice has been given and he know has to weigh his options and proceed.
TO balance things a bit, just a couple of days ago I was reading a post here of a newly immigrant who was 'scammed' by her US husband (and this is not the only one I've read here); not as prevalent? Maybe, the posts here are only a small sample of the entire universe of K-1s, CR-1 that happen every day; so it goes both ways. SHe is returning to her country and to re-tart her life. That is the only sane and healthy thing to do.
And same applies to the OP here, if the evidence is that strong, part ways, don't waste a minute and re-start your life anew without looking back.

DOn't want to hijack the oiginal post, but K1 implies fiance/fiancee; the waters have been tested or presumed tested; the government can't and should not be hand holding people. DOS can only approve or not based on the presented petition and its supporting documentation. People (us) are supposed to be the first line of filtering against fraud. Yes, scams will be still happen, can't be avoided. Ultimately, there are inherent challenges and risks involved in a cross-cultural, international relationship and each one of us has accepted that (or should accept that), end up scammed is one of those risks. Not blaming the OP at all. Some scam artists are very very good. The only one who can decide direction at this point is the OP, much advice has been given and he know has to weigh his options and proceed.
TO balance things a bit, just a couple of days ago I was reading a post here of a newly immigrant who was 'scammed' by her US husband (and this is not the only one I've read here); not as prevalent? Maybe, the posts here are only a small sample of the entire universe of K-1s, CR-1 that happen every day; so it goes both ways. SHe is returning to her country and to re-tart her life. That is the only sane and healthy thing to do.
And same applies to the OP here, if the evidence is that strong, part ways, don't waste a minute and re-start your life anew without looking back.

DOn't want to hijack the oiginal post, but K1 implies fiance/fiancee; the waters have been tested or presumed tested; the government can't and should not be hand holding people. DOS can only approve or not based on the presented petition and its supporting documentation. People (us) are supposed to be the first line of filtering against fraud. Yes, scams will be still happen, can't be avoided. Ultimately, there are inherent challenges and risks involved in a cross-cultural, international relationship and each one of us has accepted that (or should accept that), end up scammed is one of those risks. Not blaming the OP at all. Some scam artists are very very good. The only one who can decide direction at this point is the OP, much advice has been given and he know has to weigh his options and proceed.
TO balance things a bit, just a couple of days ago I was reading a post here of a newly immigrant who was 'scammed' by her US husband (and this is not the only one I've read here); not as prevalent? Maybe, the posts here are only a small sample of the entire universe of K-1s, CR-1 that happen every day; so it goes both ways. SHe is returning to her country and to re-tart her life. That is the only sane and healthy thing to do.
And same applies to the OP here, if the evidence is that strong, part ways, don't waste a minute and re-start your life anew without looking back.

A new immigrant is always very very very overwhelmed and stressed, even if she speaks English well. It takes time to adjust and a support network; add to that this problem you noted with daughter and the easy way out is go back. I'd first look into whether the 'problem' with daughter is solvable. I have direct experience in Peru and I just don't buy the no one wants to take her, unless she is a problem teenager/child, this kid needs some discipline that no one has provided and essentially your wife is the only one who would put up with that behavior. Before anything, I'd see about solving the daughter problem. If it was a marry your wallet, you would have been supporting her since long ago, before she came here. Since she is leaning to call it quits, I doubt is a GC what she was/is after. It seems to me that is stress.
The advice about connecting with other con-nationals is sound; that is the very first thing I did for my wife. Luckily I had friends from her country and they hit it off. She now can speak her own language any time; can visit. Then out of her English class, 2 other friends also foreigner. The only one who truly understands how your wife feels and is going through is someone else going thru same. Them Skype and backup phone cards so she can talk to family at will.
Good luck
Just my 2 pennies

A new immigrant is always very very very overwhelmed and stressed, even if she speaks English well. It takes time to adjust and a support network; add to that this problem you noted with daughter and the easy way out is go back. I'd first look into whether the 'problem' with daughter is solvable. I have direct experience in Peru and I just don't buy the no one wants to take her, unless she is a problem teenager/child, this kid needs some discipline that no one has provided and essentially your wife is the only one who would put up with that behavior. Before anything, I'd see about solving the daughter problem. If it was a marry your wallet, you would have been supporting her since long ago, before she came here. Since she is leaning to call it quits, I doubt is a GC what she was/is after. It seems to me that is stress.
The advice about connecting with other con-nationals is sound; that is the very first thing I did for my wife. Luckily I had friends from her country and they hit it off. She now can speak her own language any time; can visit. Then out of her English class, 2 other friends also foreigner. The only one who truly understands how your wife feels and is going through is someone else going thru same. Them Skype and backup phone cards so she can talk to family at will.
Good luck
Just my 2 pennies

That kind of offense would not matter much with USCIS; but it will matter that you have not met in person. You need to meet then file. There is no specified length of time, only that you have met within the past 2 years of filing. You want to have some proof of meeting. Normally boarding passes, etc are used, but in your case you might need something 'stronger' that unequivocally proof you met in the specified time window.
One thing you might want to consider is the support requirements, specially at AOS, which as other have noted, requires a minimum income of about 19k/yr for a household of 2. Given the situation, it might be difficult to secure a job once he is released. A co-sponsor is likely needed; and it has been noted, there is the societal stigma that might make things more difficult in an already challenging situation.
That said, Everybody is entitled to happiness, and my send my best wishes

What you are describing has a name: xenophobia; and it is not an exclusivity of US people. Happens everywhere and you are bound to run into it sooner or later (not just in the US but everywhere), even in your/his own country!! Wait a few years and you will witness how he would be treated in similar terms by his own con-nationals in his own country. Has happened to me (I'm USC by naturalization) and it happens every time I visit.

That is common and temporary, as you build vocabulary it will be easier. I'd say that at the beginning, don't worry too much about the grammar; most people would understand what you are trying to get to after a few words. What you want to do is talk all the time, and select a few people that speak well and ask them to correct you. I correct my wife, but is less and less. SOme sounds will be particularly difficult, but that is because your own language does not have them. You wol dneed to practice and practice, eventually it will happen. I'd give a year until yoour vocabulary and speech becomes good enough to carry a conversation of average complexity. SOme people are very good at languages and will get it faster, some will take longer. My wife speaks 4, unfortunaly not the same 4 I speak; our common language is English peppered with German and a couple of other languages. I'm learning Polish little by little, and let me tell you, it's tough. I sometimes see words and I have no idea how to even start pronouncing them, or even make my brain get that it is a word that happens to have few or no vowels
That said, the key is that you get to a point in which you are not translating in your head and you are directly understanding or talking. It is hard to get pass that, because it is the natural thing to do.
ALso, have a pocket dictionary at all times; nothing more frustrating than needing 1 word and not having it. When spouse does not want to collaborate, speak in your own language. Better yet, get with a few friends and speak your langauge. Nothing make people understand how difficult it is not to able to communitate than having first hand experience. At same time, spouse would be also learnign some words and eventually phrases.

Assuming you are currently in the US, When you first came to the US to reside with your wife, was it a result of your wife filing a petition for you (K-1, CR1, etc)? Where did the current marriage happened (Brazil, US)?
Since you are noting applying for green card, How are you in the country (meaning, are you in status or 'out of status'; could be that you have an EAD, etc; but not a GC)
The questions above would help understand how USCIS 'missed' that.
Second, what state are you at? IN some states (not many) you actually have to register a marriage that happened abroad; but notice that for USCIS, if you are married you are married; thus, I'm afraid you have to correct that matter regardless. You need to consult an immigration attorney to figure out the next step before filing anything.
IN the eyes of USCIS, any benefit you have obtained thru a petition from your wife are probably null and void he minute you file for the GC and they find out your prior marriage was not finalized before you married your wife. There are other possible implications in respect to family benefits for spouses and while that is secondary ,it is no less important to address: for example, health insurance that covers spouses.
Before you panic, consult an attorney (immigration one and family one if need so). This can turn complicated. But it is critical that you understand what needs to be done to correct the situation as soon as possible.

About 15-20 years ago, it was not difficult to get a SSN; even without being a LPR; all that was needed was state you needed to open a bank account and you did get one, even as a tourist visa holder and it was all legit (and often it did not even said you could not work). Many F-1s in the early 90s were able to get a SSN directly from SSA reps coming to their colleges, and since it was ok/legal to work in campus often the "non valid to work" was not written in the card; and there was no misrepresentation of any kind.
Back then there was no I-9. It's only in the past 10-12 that you would need to prove legal status to get a SSN; and the I-9 started about early/mid 90s if I recall correctly.
Given the age of the OP, it is likely he/she has a valid SSN that does not say he cannot work without an EAD. Not to excuse or rationalize the OP, but If the OP was in the country since very young age, it is not unrealistic to think the he/she is a citizen; unless he is explicitly told otherwise; in the volunteer work I do advocating for children I see this with some frequency. Obviously the OP found at some point he was not and then it depends on whether he kept the misrepresentation.
A good attorney is a must here.

What you are describing has a name: xenophobia; and it is not an exclusivity of US people. Happens everywhere and you are bound to run into it sooner or later (not just in the US but everywhere), even in your/his own country!! Wait a few years and you will witness how he would be treated in similar terms by his own con-nationals in his own country. Has happened to me (I'm USC by naturalization) and it happens every time I visit.

What you are describing has a name: xenophobia; and it is not an exclusivity of US people. Happens everywhere and you are bound to run into it sooner or later (not just in the US but everywhere), even in your/his own country!! Wait a few years and you will witness how he would be treated in similar terms by his own con-nationals in his own country. Has happened to me (I'm USC by naturalization) and it happens every time I visit.

What you are describing has a name: xenophobia; and it is not an exclusivity of US people. Happens everywhere and you are bound to run into it sooner or later (not just in the US but everywhere), even in your/his own country!! Wait a few years and you will witness how he would be treated in similar terms by his own con-nationals in his own country. Has happened to me (I'm USC by naturalization) and it happens every time I visit.

Before you jump on the next flight to Korea, and assuming she is safe in Korea (even with friends, but out of any physical harm), the first thing you might want to do is see a good immigration attorney. Preferably one in your area, but does not need to be, immigration law is federal; anyone in the country can do.
Before you see this attorney, you need to have information related to what went on, at the very least, what is in the passport, what is in any document she was given, etc. The attorney might know (IANAL) how to get info from the reports of what happened at the airport.
Misunderstandings happen and someone at the airport who already had a bad hair day does not help, but it's happened and you need to be one thinking straight.
I'd document everything as you recall it, for future reference when your attorney starts a case. Is best to not have to 'remember' but to have it written down.
As I said above, you need to be the one thinking straight, as hard is it will be.

Nor mine could've described my family beyond how many siblings I have
Is there a chance that she needed a translator and none was provided? I know my wife (who speaks English well) was completely lost when she landed in Houston and "whatever it was they were speaking, was not English" (what she described could be nothing more than a thick Texan twang).

Why would you want to print on a car? And what's so special about an Audi?
Overheard it at my office once, when I was trying to explain that I needed to send my wife taxes "on A4"

Why would you want to print on a car? And what's so special about an Audi?
Overheard it at my office once, when I was trying to explain that I needed to send my wife taxes "on A4"