If you cannot solve everything right now, could seek to REDUCE how many thing you have to solve.
Since this is a few years out, is that partner not able to study in the meanwhile and apply to become a citizen on her own? Naturalize? Wouldn't that solve that part of the problem?
I would say talking to a lawyer about all these concerns would be your best option.
Galagirl
That is a really good idea, and I am looking a bit into this too. (and I'll speak with a lawyer about this) If it turns out to be realistic I'd be happy to support her to get naturalized via the study process.. The only thing I was able to find for that in my research is the EB2 Visa, and that is one of the options on the table we'll be trying for.
The bare minimum for that requires a masters (32K + finishing undergrad. Will be very painful to raise but we'll all be pulling our money together to try to make it happen), a few easier things like member of a trade association, and a range of other things that are impossible. For the final requirement the only possible choice is 'Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field by peers, government entities, professional or business organizations' - which is basically trying really hard throughout the whole time and after a few years flipping a coin to see if people notice you in the ocean. We will be trying for all that too, and if we work together we may be able to bring her to that point... but at any point throughout someone can decide she's been here for too long and may be a staying-risk, send her home, cancel school and the whole process, and keep it from being able to happen again. And if she is not noticed by the time the degree finishes then she home until someone does recognize her (harder when she's not here). If she is noticed then the application process starts while she gets sent back home for the years it takes..
So yea, I'll talk with a lawyer about all this and see if there is any way of making that process more secure. I'm not a stranger to hard work and we'll work out butt off to make it happen this way if it there is an honest possibility, but.. you know, you don't wanna take huge coin-toss choices with people you care about.
Check about your states regulations regarding common law marriage. In Texas a commitment ceremony could qualify as common law marriage ie representing as married can equal legal marriage. This would screw any immigration proceedings for the second. Just fyi. Not sure how oregon works
I *think* in Oregon cohabbitation does not equal common law marriage, from what I could find.. but yea, that's definitely something to look more into to be 100% sure, thank you for reminding me! Cause yea, I really don't want there to be any actual laws broken in anything, that just gets messy and then there is badness..