Thanks for the replies.  I read the paragraph from the link.   How can a nonresident alien with no US source income, no ties whatsoever to the US except for marrying a citizen be compelled to get an ITIN? @itonewbie  , what do you think of that paragraph?

To be able to efile, yes.  But without that?  I'd really like to know if the IRS has that power and what happens if the nonresident alien spouses don't get ITINs.