I am on an F1 visa, and I was fully, legally employed the entire time up until two days before my EAD expired (on OPT). I have never been arrested or accused of any crime, big or small, in my entire life. I have never been out of status or otherwise violated my status.

My company was going to file an H1B visa application for me, but in the last few days they have decided not to. As my grace period expires in a week, I am eager to leave the country to avoid being out of status. I have booked a flight, however the only one I was able to find is 3 weeks after my grace period ends. I am very scared right now, as I do have a solid plan to leave, although I had to set it up in such haste that I don't want to be arrested - I'm worried about these few weeks.

Firstly, I do not want to be barred from the US and future visas. What happens with that? And secondly, I am nervous that in those 3 weeks someone will come and arrest me - even though, again, I have a solid plan to leave, and I don't want any future prospects of US visas being denied to me. Would I be able to explain to someone my situation, that my company had a change of heart at the last minute and I'm trying to deal with it the best I can?

Any info would be much, much appreciated.