Transferring Money to an Illegal Immigrant in the United States
My sister is from the UK and has married a US citizen and currently resident in your country. I do not believe that she is going through the correct immigration procedures and may be resident illegally (an alien).
I am resident in the UK and currently administering our fathers estate, which entitles my sister to a sum of money.
Because my sister wishes to remain below the immigration radar she is unable to open a bank account. As a result she is asking me to transfer her inheritance into the bank account of her US husband.
Question; If I do this am I breaking laws in the US? I am concerned that this could be regarded as aiding and abetting any immigration crime that she may be committing.
Perhaps I'm just too sensitive but I'd hate to have a criminal record in the US and to be barred from ever visiting your beautiful country again.
Any advice gratefully received and will be faithfully applied.
Re: Money Transfer to Us Alien Uk to Us
Why do you believe your sister wishes to remain here illegally?
If she has married a US citizen, she can generally adjust her status (unless she actually entered without inspection) to that of legal resident based upon her marriage.
Re: Transferring Money to an Illegal Immigrant in the United States
Depositing money in the name of her husband is a bad idea. In the US, an inheritance is separate property only if not combined with spouse's funds. It is in her best interest to keep it separate and in an account only in her name.
I suggest that until she gets her US immigration issues resolved, she would be best served by having you deposit her inheritance into her account in the UK.
If a banking institution chooses to do so, it can offer accounts to illegal aliens. The ITIN number is a Social Security like identifier that permits even illegal to file taxes.