Immigration doesnt really like an USA citizent to bring in a "family" member into USA.
That doesnt matter if they live abroad and just visit USA.

Before I got my resident card I was living in Sweden with my american husband.

I tried to get a visa and was denied. Reason was because I was married to a US citizent.

I was told to either immigrate or take a chance being allowed as a visitor inot the country.

And no we had to take different lanes.

Some times I had problems getting into the country just because my husband was american. Other times they understood. And sometimes they did not know what to do.

One thing is very clear IMMIGRATION doesnt like a US citizent with a foreign "partner" who has not legal resident card.