Yam Power,
I think you are dead on the money. We have ZERO personal experience with immigration. My family has been in Canada since before Canada was a country. Alex probably couldn't pull this off within the Polish community. They'd see through it in a second. And I can't think of anything that Alex has ever really given Sarah. I know what you are saying about the 4 years... but she is always buying him stuff, driving him places, arranging things... the guy has it made. And who knows if Sarah is the only girl he is seeing. They have only been dating 3 years now... will be 4 years when his passport expires. But they are in a power struggle... he wanted to get engaged after 3 months... she has been resisting. Finally he found someone to sign for a loan to buy a ring, because he was tired of waiting, and wants to move the game along. And now I am scouring immigration boards to try and understand where Sarah stands.
Your input is really appreciated. Thanks!