Omni, it isn't necessary under false pretenses, what can happen is that once the immigrant lives here permantly, and there are some rough patches during the marriage, the USC uses the Green card as ammunition to hurt the immigrant.
They may not actually mean it, but in any argument one of you would want to have something to hurt the other, and in this case using the Green Card issue is a good weapon to hurt the other or to blackmail them with.
There are some that turn into one of those controling spouses, a way of feeling powerful.
They know you are in a foreign country, no family, friends and no one to turn to.
It maybe because they feel insecure that you may leave them, or that they want something that you won't give them, so this is a good way to get what they want.
It does happen a lot Omni, but if you can prove a bona fide marriage, you can have a chance in staying.
But you also have to see it the other side too, there are many that decide to leave the relationship once they get their GC, and married only to get into the US.
Precautions have to be taken hence the conditional GC.
If she does keep threatening you, then try and have her put that in writing, or record her, whatever you can to prove at a later date that she was blackmailing you or lying.
Michael..I do see your point totally about why would anyone want to stay here after being treated that way.
The thing is, unless you have been in the shoes of an immigrant, you really won't understand.
It is the same for the many Americans who decided to stay in other countries once they immigrated and were treated badly.
You give up pretty much everything when you move countries, you mentally make the US your home. You kind of have to otherwise you won't cope being away from friends and family.
You settle here, you make start a new life, a job, friends, home and so on.
When things go bad, its not just the matter of..yeah lets go back to home country, all will be fine.
If there are children involved, that makes it even harder, because it affects the child too.
As I say, unless you have been in the shoes of that said person, and experience it yourself, it is very hard to understand why you just don't up and leave.
For many of us immigrants, we have made the US our home, just like your ancestors did and most Americans did.
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God Bless America - God Bless Immigrants - God Bless Poor Misguided Souls Too

Mr S.U.