Herky Jerky

Hello:

I know this shouldn't be a problem, but I am wracked with paranoia. I
am a US citizen, and my wife is French. We live together, but outside
of the US! We are visiting the US together for a few weeks this month
on a vacation. We don't have any intention, desire or reason to stay
in the US beyond our vacation. Yes, this needs to be proved, I know.

Of course, my French wife can enter on the Visa Waiver Program, and,
of course, we can play the usual strategy of bringing proof of
employment, etc. so that the officers don't suspect that she wants to
stay in the US. What I am looking for are experiences from others in
the same situation, and hopefully some answers to some questions:

1) Should we go together in the immigration line? Technically, she
should go in the non-US citizen/GC line, and I should go in the
citizen line. I would feel much more comfortable if we were together
the whole time, but I don't want our day to be ruined because we broke
some rule about which line to stand in. However, I have read stories
here about "mixed" couples who entered in the same line.

2) If we stay in the same line, can we approach the immigration
officer together, or separately? I guess not, because of the Big White
Line, but am just curious.

3) If she is alone and the officer discovers that she is married to a
USC (me), will it make any difference to the officer that the USC (me)
doesn't live in the US? It seems to me that if the USC spouse doesn't
even live in the US, then there shouldn't be much suspicion of
immigration intent, but I don't know how those guys work. If it helps,
we have a lease with both of our names on it, as well as common bank
account statements.

4) Does anyone have any personal experience about this? I have seen
just a few stories here in the distant past (pre-2000), and am hoping
for more updated experiences.

Finally, I am already aware of the "don't tell them anything they
don't ask for, but if they ask, tell the truth" rule.

Thanks in advance!

sph

All I can tell you is that prior to 9/11, my husband and I travelled several times to the US. We both live in Israel, but I am an American citizen. It was never ANY problem at all. We went on separate lines (it can't be helped, i am a citizen, he isn't). Of course these days things may be different...

Andy Platt

The fact that you are resident abroad is a good indication that you are not
planning to stay. We've always gone through the same immigration lines since
we've got married, but I must mention that I have always been travellling
with advance parole or, more recently, a greencard. However, we have done
this in reverse many times - my wife always goes through the EU line with me
at Heathrow and she has no visa or anything.

Andy.

--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.

"Herky Jerky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hello:
    > I know this shouldn't be a problem, but I am wracked with paranoia. I
    > am a US citizen, and my wife is French. We live together, but outside
    > of the US! We are visiting the US together for a few weeks this month
    > on a vacation. We don't have any intention, desire or reason to stay
    > in the US beyond our vacation. Yes, this needs to be proved, I know.
    > Of course, my French wife can enter on the Visa Waiver Program, and,
    > of course, we can play the usual strategy of bringing proof of
    > employment, etc. so that the officers don't suspect that she wants to
    > stay in the US. What I am looking for are experiences from others in
    > the same situation, and hopefully some answers to some questions:
    > 1) Should we go together in the immigration line? Technically, she
    > should go in the non-US citizen/GC line, and I should go in the
    > citizen line. I would feel much more comfortable if we were together
    > the whole time, but I don't want our day to be ruined because we broke
    > some rule about which line to stand in. However, I have read stories
    > here about "mixed" couples who entered in the same line.
    > 2) If we stay in the same line, can we approach the immigration
    > officer together, or separately? I guess not, because of the Big White
    > Line, but am just curious.
    > 3) If she is alone and the officer discovers that she is married to a
    > USC (me), will it make any difference to the officer that the USC (me)
    > doesn't live in the US? It seems to me that if the USC spouse doesn't
    > even live in the US, then there shouldn't be much suspicion of
    > immigration intent, but I don't know how those guys work. If it helps,
    > we have a lease with both of our names on it, as well as common bank
    > account statements.
    > 4) Does anyone have any personal experience about this? I have seen
    > just a few stories here in the distant past (pre-2000), and am hoping
    > for more updated experiences.
    > Finally, I am already aware of the "don't tell them anything they
    > don't ask for, but if they ask, tell the truth" rule.
    > Thanks in advance!