When CBP encounters US citizens with non-US significant others, there is heightened concern about whether or not the person is coming to immigrate. To try to alleviate such CBP concerns, being full-time employed outside of the US and having a home outside of the US that is within commuting distance to your workplace will likely help. If the US citizen's non-US significant other is seen as not employed full-time outside of the US, the chances of such non-US significant other being considered an "immigration 'risk'" increases.
Originally Posted by
televisor
I might be missing something, but I thought we were discussing what happens when a US citizen crosses the border with their non-US spouse (and they both happen to live either in the same country that isn't the US - and I know a ton of relationships like that, it's definitely not uncommon, even if they're a minority...)
The residency status of the US citizen is completely irrelevant, they have to use the US citizen line. The foreign spouse has to use the alien line. But if they live together, they're supposed to have one customs paper. What gives?
Do you mean to say that the residency status of the US citizen is completely irrelevant to which line they are supposed to use? That's true, in so far as the US citizen can choose to be processed in the US citizens line or any other line at US POEs -- likely with less pushback from CBP than if a visa-user or first-time VWP user were to try to use the US citizen line (which has sometimes been allowed without issue too).
The residency status of the US citizen does matter with regard to the customs declaration form, as customs allowances are tied to residency status.
When dealing with CBP on this matter, it's sort of a roll of the die in terms of what the outcome will be. It's likely to go over more smoothly at the extremes (but take longer on average) if both go together and use a line marked for non-US citizens.