Entering the US when both USC and foreign spouse live abroad: What to bring?

[awaywego 28]

My husband and I both live in his native country, where I hold a residence permit. We will soon be taking a two-week vacation to the States in order to visit friends and my family. We will return to our lives here afterward.

I recently came across threads suggesting that fiance(e)s and spouses visiting their US-residing SOs bring paperwork showing ties to their home countries. Should we also be bringing this paperwork when we enter the US although I also live abroad? If so, would our suggested list of evidence differ from, e.g., this one because I also live abroad?

ETA: We will not be starting on his IR-1 for another year, as we do not plan to return to the US for at least another 1.5 years.

Edited February 17, 2014 by awaywego

[Ryan E 10]

I also live abroad with my spouse I've had no problem making two trips back to the states with her. Now that I think about it, I didn't take any proof with us.

[awaywego 28]

We have also had no problem entering together so far - I've actually had simpler questions entering the US with my non-USC husband than I've had on entries by myself. The most probing question we have been asked is whether we both live in Germany.

However, I don't know if that information will be enough for all CBP officers. If they do decide to probe for whatever reason, we would normally be carrying no evidence of our plan to return beyond our itinerary and my residence permit.

Perhaps I've answered my own question in that we should bring at least some other evidence of our ties here, whether or not there's a real possibility that they'd ever be requested. It's probably worth the peace of mind.

I should probably also stop reading threads about people who are turned back at the border.