http://link.toolbot.com/news-record.com/67425

Immigrant opponents need broader boycott

March 2, 2007
News-Record, Greensboro, North Carolina

Bank of America Chairman Kenneth D. Lewis made a dramatic confession in a Wall Street Journal article recently: "Reports have stated that in some cases illegal immigrants are able to sign up for the bank's products and services. These reports are true."

Outrageous? Some critics think so, including Raleigh-based Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, which has called for a boycott of the banking behemoth headquartered in Charlotte.

But Lewis added a reality check about reports of illegal immigrants accessing BOA's products and services: "They also are true for many financial institutions and businesses in our country today."

Sure they are. Illegal immigrants cash paychecks at banks or even deposit them into checking or savings accounts. They use Western Union to wire money to families at home. They also rent houses, pay utility bills, buy cars and purchase other necessities and everyday items, just like legal residents. No one is calling for, or should call for, a boycott of all those businesses whose customers might be illegal immigrants. The money is legal, and it passes through everyone's hands.

BOA is targeted because of a pilot program it launched in Los Angeles that critics contend markets credit cards to illegals. Customers, who must have had a checking or savings account with the bank for three months, don't need a Social Security number. Instead, they can use identification issued by Mexican consulates or other foreign governments.

This constitutes "preferential treatment" over American credit consumers, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC says. That's a thin claim, because few Americans are denied the chance to hold credit cards unless they've had trouble paying debts. The BOA program requires a security deposit and charges high interest rates. That doesn't sound preferential.

Lewis calls the initiative a way for customers to "build a solid credit history with a leading bank." Should the bank care if those customers are in the country illegally? Sure, as much as anyone cares. But, beyond complying with all federal, state and local regulations, banks and other businesses aren't responsible for enforcing immigration laws. People who aren't eligible to live in the United States should be deported by the U.S. government. Until that happens, everyone who lives here is going to participate in the nation's economic system one way or another. Those who don't use credit cards might borrow from payday lenders or loan sharks.

Boycotting a bank because some of its customers are illegal immigrants makes as much sense as punishing schools, churches and restaurants for the same reason. Can everyone boycott everyone else?