Originally Posted by
trueblu
Err...I am married, with the same surname as my wife, and we always get told to go through separate lines. Given that we also have different customs allowances, that's just as well (the only redeeming feature).
tb
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...ation_form.xml
Everywhere you see instructions for this form, it specifically says to complete one form for an immediate family (which a husband and wife certainly would be). The US citizen should generally fill in the form, and they go through US immigration through the non-citizens line together.
How does the alternative work? You both fill in on the form: "number of family members traveling with you" - 1. Most likely, the first question you'll be asked when you arrive at the separate desk by yourself "where's the family member?"
I simply don't see how you can follow the instructions of filling in one form per family and then go through separately with one form each. You certainly can't go through the immigration step without the customs form either.
I have done this dozens of times and not once have I been told that this process is incorrect. It's very surprising that your experience is different - logistically, I just don't see how it works.