Marry an American and you're in for life.. You could probably get away with overstaying your visa since they won't be too interested in looking for you, but you could never own any property. I don't know if other states are the same, but in TX the state and local police are not allowed to ask you if you're a legal citizen.. Only the feds can kick you out of the country and they are......... dysfunctional to say the least.