Hello,

I am Japanese, I went to the US in June and got married to an American who I've known for about a year and was in love with. But since I didn't want to become an immigrant in the US and I didn't have any alien fiancé visa, I just stayed there for 3 months (the longest stay that I can with my Japanese passport) and came back to Japan at the beginning of September. During these 3 months, our love life didn't work out well and we were about to break up. I didn't even apply for any kind of visa, I didn't have any job over there so I didn't do any illegal actions during my stay.
Now, my husband keeps telling me that the immigration office is going to come after me because I have to stay with him for 2 years after the marriage. Is it true? Since I didn't apply for any visa by the marriage, don't I have any problems to live separately from him?
It was not at all the marriage of convenience, I was just blind in love so wanted to be together with him. To prove this, I'm now back in Japan and I'm asking him a divorce, because we didn't get along well living together.

Thank you.

I don't think you should worry because you did not file a petition to become a citizen or permanent resident. Be happy that you did not stay with this guy because he is really showing you how immature, and revengeful he is. He is also dishonest because he is trying to force you to be with him through intimidation and lies.
You are very lucky that you did not stay with such an abusive person. Please do not believe him....do not answer his e-mails or phone calls. Try hard to forget him, move on with your life and meet the honest, loving and supportive person you deserve! Good Luck!

Debbie - there are a couple of things that I would recommend you do and some questions I have for you:
1. What type of visa did you arrive in the U.S. on? Visa waiver? B-2? K-1?
2. You said you got married. I assume you did this legally and obtained a marriage certificate? Correct? Did you ever file any other papers?

If you just left after being married legally on paper in the U.S., then you are technically married even though you never filed any citizenship papers. Immigration office will never come after you btw. So, don't worry about that. That is just BS from your "husband". Obviously he wants you back.

To make sure you do not get any trouble when trying to enter the U.S. on vacation next time, I would make sure I would legally be divorced from your husband. Don't just assume that because you left the U.S., you are automatically divorced.

If questions, go to the U.S. embassy. Ask them, and also include what to do if the "husband" does not want to divorce you.

Life Lover