The crystal ball lately has these little spikes all over it  . . .

Only the COBOL programmers know if IRS will make another pass through the data once a 2019 return is processed.  It would be safer to use the separate-return strategy on a 2020 return.  And does the citizen spouse qualify for HH status?  

By next year, Mitch McConnell might sponsor a change to the law that turned marriage to someone foreign-born a cause for second-class citizenship, at least if his wife Elaine Chao has any influence.