Posted: Thursday, 08 March 2007 7:48AM

Suffolk Legislator: Bank Helps Illegal Immigrants

HAUPPAUGE, Long Island -- A Suffolk County Legislator wants the county to stop doing business with Bank of America. Edward Romaine says the bank has a new policy that could give credit cards to illegal immigrants.

But Suffolk County Treasurer Angie Carpenter says she can't support the boycott because the county needs to get the best interest rate for its money. She says Suffolk has about $100 million on deposit with Bank of America.

The bankk unveiled a program this week to allow people without social security numbers to get a credit card if they have other identification.

Romaine says legal immigrants can get social security numbers.

He says handing out credit cards increases the potential for money laundering and identity theft.

A Bank of New York spokeswoman says the policy is aimed at helping people build a credit history.

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