Thread: Illegal Immigrants Getting Home Loans

Illegal Immigrants Getting Home Loans
Last Updated:
08-19-05 at 4:28PM

An organization is being criticized for helping undocumented immigrants become homeowners, but they're not doing anything illegal.

The IRS and a major bank are making it possible for Mexicans and others to enjoy the American dream. According to the California Association of Realtors, only 11 percent of households are able to afford the median price of homes in the county, which hit $496,000 this week.

Yet undocumented immigrants are living the American dream as homeowners. How is that possible?

"The I-TIN program is a pilot program through Citybank, and that's a program that we have … we offer the loans to everybody," ACORN Housing manager Sarah Lumbert said.

The housing division of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) has been counseling low-income people on how to buy a house since 1986.

With a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which is available online, undocumented immigrants can apply for a home loan without a social security number.

A spokeswoman for Citybank said the bank has been part of the pilot project since September 2004, and isn't aware of any negative criticism about the program.

In Oceanside, State Senator Bill Morrow has his concerns. He told LOCAL 8 News if ACORN is advocating open borders or establishing so-called "safe houses", that could be considered aiding and abetting criminals.

According to Lumbert, the program is completely legal.

"This is an entirely legitimate program through HUD, backed by Citibank," she said. "The [TIN] numbers are issued by the Internal Revenue Service."

ACORN Housing will continue to counsel undocumented immigrants despite the negative reaction to the program.

"There'll always be critics … no matter what the program is," Lumbert said.

Those critics say the program will encourage more illegal immigration. To date, ACORN Housing has helped dozens of low-income families and undocumented immigrants buy homes in central California, and several closings are pending in San Diego.



http://www.kfmb.com/features/special...y.php?id=20984

exactly how can an agency for the federal government -- the IRS and HUD -- participate in criminal activity???

OUTLANDISH

considering the federal governments collection agency, the IRS, is unconstitutional, I guess this shouldn't be a surprise . . .

but the IRS can seige the property of citizens for tax VIOLATIONS without a "judgement" of any court just by filing a lien in the probate court . . . non-payment of taxes is not a national security threat