US Citizen entering the states with tourist wife?

[Okalian 41]

Howdy!

Here is the situation:

• Wife obtained B1/B2 visa - clearly stated at the interview that she's married to a US citizen.
• Visited me in the US in February as a tourist for 10 days
• Got an offer for summer research in the States
• Asked to apply for J visa to be able to work on research
• Obtained J visa - once again, clearly stated her marriage to a US citizen at the embassy.
• Planning to enter together and stay there for 2 months

We don't yet plan to immigrate to the States, as she's working and half-way through her Ph.D in Egypt.

My question: Should we enter together, or separately? I'm inclined to stand with her in the visitors' line (to ensure fingerprinting), but is there a risk in doing so? Anyone here done that before?

I've briefly searched the forum and read about this case, but I'm yet to hear back from someone who actually went through it and provided feedback.

Please share your $0.02

[JohnR! 5,495]

I have not done that in a long time, but I recall last year there was someone from Chile in the same situation as you. IMHO you should go together because ultimately she will need to convince the CBP officer she has no intention of staying stateside and AOS. From that perspective, her biggest tie to her home country is you, so if you have proof you need to return to Egypt, that ought to be enough.

Bring along business cards and anything else you may have to provide as evidence that you live abroad.

Good luck!!

Edited May 27, 2014 by Gegel

[Okalian 41]

Thanks for your reply, JohnR

Thought i should come back here and update my post, in case someone else runs through the same situation; We stood in the visitors line (since it has fingerprint readers) and CBP officer didn't ask a single question, seems like a normal occurance Wife mentioned to him that she would like to enter with her J-visa. Took her fingerprints and we carried on with our trip.

[fishoil 3]

Howdy!

Here is the situation:

• Wife obtained B1/B2 visa - clearly stated at the interview that she's married to a US citizen.
• Visited me in the US in February as a tourist for 10 days
• Got an offer for summer research in the States
• Asked to apply for J visa to be able to work on research
• Obtained J visa - once again, clearly stated her marriage to a US citizen at the embassy.
• Planning to enter together and stay there for 2 months

We don't yet plan to immigrate to the States, as she's working and half-way through her Ph.D in Egypt.

My question: Should we enter together, or separately? I'm inclined to stand with her in the visitors' line (to ensure fingerprinting), but is there a risk in doing so? Anyone here done that before?

I've briefly searched the forum and read about this case, but I'm yet to hear back from someone who actually went through it and provided feedback.

Please share your $0.02

Interesting scene. I don't know the answer. But I do know at airport they say "families stay together" and she is your wife so family stays together.

[Okalian 41]

Thanks everyone for your help

Edited September 30, 2014 by Okalian

[NikLR 13,232]

Thank you for updating on your case! It's helpful for others who have questions like yours.

[Stressed Out 81]

Just stick together. We've gone through the POE a couple times with my husband's B-2 and me by his side. You can be there to clarify certain questions that the customs officer might have. Even before he got his B-2, they actually instructed us at the POE (where you choose the USC or non-USC lines) to go together through the USC line since we're married and the line's not as packed full.