Rishi Sunak could face an investigation into whether he breached US immigration laws whilst serving as a UK Chancellor after green card rules ‘ban American citizens from voting or standing in foreign elections’, the Liberal Democrats have claimed.
Mr Sunak, who has faced a backlash over revelations of his wife Akshata Murty’s non-dom status, is facing questions about his decision to keep his US green card until October last year – more than 18 months after becoming Chancellor.
This meant that he was obliged to file American tax returns. He also became a permanent resident of the US.
Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty own a £5 million flat in Santa Monica, California, which they visit regularly.
However in a fresh blow from the Chancellor’s political opponents, the White House was challenged over the weekend about how he had been allowed to maintain a status that is not available to people ’employed by a foreign government’.
Layla Moran, the Lib Dems’ foreign affairs spokeswoman, wrote to US officials, asking them to investigate why Mr Sunak held the card ‘despite holding elected office in the UK and serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer since February 2020’.
She added: ‘This would appear to be in contravention of US State Department rules.’
It has now emerged that Ms Moran has urged the White House to launch an inquiry into Mr Sunak breaking US immigration laws by serving as a UK Chancellor while holding a Green Card, according to The Telegraph.
Rishi Sunak (pictured), could be investigated for violating US immigration laws. Green card rules “ban American citizens voting or standing in foreign election’, Liberal Democrats claim.
Layla Moran (pictured), the Lib Dems’ foreign affairs spokeswoman, wrote to US officials, asking them to investigate why Mr Sunak held the card ‘despite holding elected office in the UK and serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer since February 2020
She wrote to Alejandro Mayorkas, the American Secretary of Homeland Security, making clear that the Chancellor and his wife ‘continued to file tax returns in the United States while he was in apparent breach of these rules.’
According to Ms. Moran, the issue is of “significant public interest” because US Department of State records state that running for political office in another country and voting in foreign elections constitute evidence of abandonment. [US] residence’.
She also wrote to Charles Rettig (US Commissioner of Internal Revenue), stating that this would seem to violate US State Department Rules, which stipulate that being employed in foreign governments and running for office in foreign countries are signs of abandonment of residency in the United States.
Ms Moran questioned US officials about ‘what sanctions could be applied’ to Mr Sunak if he was found guilty of violating ‘either a letter nor the spirit’ of US visa laws.
Akshata Muthy is the daughter of one India’s most powerful men. However, it has been revealed she was non-dom despite her living in 11 Downing Street together with Rishi Sunak (and their children). Last month, they were pictured together
Yesterday Rishi’s political rivals called for the White House investigation into the reason the Chancellor was granted a green card from the USA up to last October
According to tax experts, personal loans made by Akshata Murty to Catamaran Ventures UK’s venture capital company, Catamaran Ventures UK fell within a “grey area” of the law.
According to a Treasury spokesperson, Mr Sunak declared his Green Card arrangement to Cabinet Office in 2018. He became Minister.
It was abandoned by him in October 2012, after he sought guidance before he made his first US visit in a Government position.
This means that he paid tax to the US Government while negotiating with Washington on minimum international tax rates applicable to American internet companies such as Google and Facebook.
The Chancellor’s spokesperson said that he used his green card to travel as required by the United States laws.
He discussed with US officials the best course of action after his first visit to the US as Chancellor.
“It was decided that it would be best for him to immediately return his green cards.
“All laws have been observed and all taxes paid as required during the time he had his green card.”