Thread: ALIPAC: Bank's offer ignites debate on services for illegal

Bank's offer ignites debate on services for illegal aliens

Saturday, March 10, 2007

By ELIZABETH LLORENTE
STAFF WRITER



A pilot program to offer credit cards to residents without Social Security numbers -- most often illegal immigrants -- is spurring a protest at Bank of America branches in New Jersey.

To qualify for the credit card, a resident must have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number -- issued by the Internal Revenue Service -- as well as an account with Bank of America that has been in good standing for at least three months.

Bank of America's move to provide services to illegal immigrants is hardly new in the U.S. banking industry. Other banks, such as Wells Fargo and Citibank, offer a vast array of services to people who provide the taxpayer identification number.

Bank officials point out that they are operating within federal laws when they offer services to people who live in the United States illegally. Banking and anti-terrorism laws passed after Sept. 11, 2001, allow financial institutions to accept the number as a valid form of identification when accepting a new customer.

Some advocates are grateful that Bank of America is helping illegal immigrants obtain credit cards, but those who favor a hard stance on illegal immigration are planning to protest at Bank of America branches -- including one in Dumont -- today.

Pro

Bank of America's pilot program brings a smile to Herminio Garcia.

He is one of Passaic's most prominent businessmen with a ringside seat to the city's large illegal immigrant population and the vulnerability that envelops the many who keep wads of hard-earned cash under mattresses, deeply tucked away in drawers, and often, on pay day, in their pockets or purses. Many have been mugged by thugs who know they often carry their cash on them.

"These are folks who work hard for their money, and these banking services allow them to invest this money locally," Garcia said. "They're less likely to send as much of what they make here overseas, and they'd be less vulnerable. It's a win-win situation for the immigrants and our economy."

Garcia, a U.S. citizen who came illegally from Mexico, fumes when he recalls all the hard-earned money he says he paid in taxes and Social Security, but will never get back. He assails Bank of America's critics as "ignoramuses" who "don't acknowledge, or are even aware of, how much undocumented people give in this country, but never get to reap the true benefits they've earned."

Bank of America officials express exasperation over the firestorm of criticism.

"This was not designed specifically for illegal immigrants," said Alex Liftman, senior vice president of Bank of America. "These are customers of ours who've already gone through the identification process to open up an account with us."

"As a bank, we have an obligation and a responsibility to provide financial products and services to those who are eligible" regardless of immigration status, Liftman said.

"The original idea for this was to educate our existing customers about how to build a solid credit history in the United States, and to help them do it."

Con

In Carlstadt, Gayle Kesselman is working on rallying the New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control for today's demonstration.

Kesselman sees Bank of America's outreach to illegal immigrant customers as yet another example of the string of mixed signals she says the United States sends on the issue of illegal immigration. She argues that the United States maintains that it is getting tough on border control, but then provides opportunities for those who are already here illegally to live more comfortably.

"It's outrageous," said Kesselman, who is president of NJCIS. "It's aiding and abetting criminal activity in pursuit of profits. These are people who come to this country illegally. We don't know who they really are or why they are really here."

The national demonstration against Bank of America is expected to go hand in hand with a call for a boycott of the financial institution. Protest organizers are asking the public to cancel accounts with Bank of America.

"The goal of the boycott is to get tens of thousands of Americans to complain to Bank of America, ask Congress for action and to cancel their accounts, until this bank respects public opinion and federal law," said William Gheen of the National Illegal Immigration Boycott Coalition, which includes more than 100 groups. "It is a slap in the face to every American struggling with credit-card debt and rocky credit scores. We want the rule of law restored in America."
http://link.toolbot.com/northjersey.com/70555

I sure hope they had a good turnout at the protest today.

BTW, first time I've been called an ignoramus.

As a bank, we have an obligation and a responsibility to provide financial products and services to those who are eligible" regardless of immigration status, Liftman said.

"The original idea for this was to educate our existing customers about how to build a solid credit history in the United States, and to help them do it."

What a load of this has nothing to do with obligation/ responsibility or helping, this has to do with unbrideled greed with no thought to what damage is being done or who will be suffer because of it. To try to hide such deceit behind a facade of false compassion is disgusting!

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Geez no mention of how they drain our social services with their illegal alien children or the welfare and foodstamps that they receive. Another moron who applied for citizenship while he lived illegally in this country for years and who thinks anyone that wants to come and live here should have that right as well as credit cards. What a moron!

We are appalled at their actions. When these illegals can't pay their bills or charges, who does that fall upon? Why of course bank of america's customers. They shouldn't be called bank of america, it should be bank of traitors.

True, what about them draining all other resources? Just another way for Americans to pay for something. They are illegal and have NO rights. They should demand from their own Country, what they demand from America.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm sick and tired of this political correctness. Screw the illegal immigrants. We have officers in jail for protecting our Country and the government is taking the word of CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS over HONEST HARD WORKING AMERICANS.

For the record, last week we just opened an account with our State Bank and will be transferring all of our money from Bank of America and closing those accounts!!

It we don't stand for something, we stand for nothing.

It feels good to read and hear others that have such a concern for something that I feel will kill America.

WELCOME - peladac!!

Jump right in and join the battle!

And please check out the archives. We've the largest on the web concerning all that is ILLEGAL ALIENS and their 'supporters'

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

WELCOME - peladac!!

Jump right in and join the battle!

And please check out the archives. We've the largest on the web concerning all that is ILLEGAL ALIENS and their 'supporters'

Thank you! I'm glad that I found you guys!!

peladac: We are glad you found us as well. Please tell everyone you know about this site and the important work that lies ahead.

peladac, WELCOME TO ALIPAC!!!

So much to do, and so little time...*sigh*

Glad you could find us here and hope you can find the time to roll up your sleeves with us.

Again, WELCOME!