Thanks for the quick response, I agree if it would be that easy, sadly I’ve had friends that were turned away by customs for that exact reasons (staying months while they visited last time) and got recommended against even trying to enter by an attorney since the I130 in flight might be used by US customs against me.

I don’t think you or anyone can assure me that if I am currently trying to enter the country for a visit I might not be turned away by customs (worst case scenario being barred from entering for years).

I don’t know how you can plan your existence around random chance of US customs.

Please correct me if I’m wrong with that assessment.

To come highlight again, this has been a huge surprise to my wife’s family who resides on both sides of the political aisle.

They assumed it would be bad, but not quite how bad.