Thread: NLPC Blasts BofA Decision CC for Illegal Aliens

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NLPC Blasts Bank of America Decision to Proceed With Credit Cards for Illegal Aliens



FALLS CHURCH, Va., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National
Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) today reacted to the decision by the Bank of
America to continue its controversial program of marketing credit cards to
individuals who do not have a Social Security number. In a guest commentary
in today's Wall Street Journal, Bank of America Chairman and CEO Kenneth D.
Lewis writes, "After a week of listening to our customers, we have a made a
decision. We will continue our card marketing pilot program in the Los
Angeles market."
Lewis defended the program by stating, "First, the program is not about
illegal immigrants, and never was. It is designed to help Bank of America
customers build a credit history. Second, we believe we have an obligation
to serve all those in our country who are legally eligible to receive
services. To do less would be discriminatory and unfair."
Carl F. Horowitz, director of NLPC's Organized labor Accountability
Project, who has written widely on immigration issues, said, "This 'see no
evil' rhetoric is highly misleading. Credit is not a right. It is a
privilege. By terming 'discriminatory and unfair' a simple step to
determine if someone is legally in this country, Lewis is cleverly making
concerns over erosion of rule of law and national security look as though
they are acts of denial of basic human rights."
Horowitz continued, "By refusing to consider a credit card applicant's
immigration status, it is sending a message to future illegal immigrants,
especially from across the Mexican border, 'Come and get your credit
cards.' The fact that the bank is not explicitly targeting illegal
immigrants doesn't mean it isn't aware that many applicants will be
illegals."
Some 12 million people now live in this country illegally, nearly 80
percent of whom are from Mexico or Central America, three to four times the
number of two decades ago.
Horowitz pointed to Bank of America's latest annual report (2005) for
additional evidence that the company markets its products to illegal
aliens. The report boasts of a new Bank of America program called SafeSend
that allows "any Bank of America customer with a checking account to send
cash to anyone in Mexico -- immediately and free of charge." The report
continues, "The SafeSend service provides cash in Mexican pesos, at
competitive exchange rates, to recipients in Mexico through more than 3,600
locations ... No fees, cards or unfamiliar procedures are required, only
proper identification. A patent is pending on this new remittance process."
Like the credit card program, a customer may qualify for SafeSend by having
a checking account.
Horowitz said, "Ken Lewis tells the public one thing and his
shareholders another. It is obvious that the Bank of America is trying to
make a buck off the immigration crisis. Just look at these cards being
issued to individuals without Social Security numbers. They are a terrible
deal, carrying low credit ceilings, high interest rates and a security
deposit."
NLPC, a Bank of America shareholder, promotes ethics in public life and
sponsors the Corporate Integrity Project.



SOURCE National Legal and Policy Center

Hmmm........I wonder what Bank of America shareholders think of this?

Thank you Mr. Horowitz. Lewis is looking out for the almighty dollar and should be deported from the U.S. with the rest of the criminal aliens!

Lewis defended the program by stating, "First, the program is not about
illegal immigrants, and never was. It is designed to help Bank of America
customers build a credit history. Second, we believe we have an obligation
to serve all those in our country who are legally eligible to receive
services. To do less would be discriminatory and unfair."

This program isn't about illegal immigrants??? Does he think we're all stupid?
This isn't right for either side. It's a slap in the face for we citizens who have to show id, have a credit check, etc. and for the illegals who if they are approved will be charged ridiculously high interest. It's just money, good ethical principles don't matter anymore to his bank.

Originally Posted by jean

Lewis defended the program by stating, "First, the program is not about
illegal immigrants, and never was. It is designed to help Bank of America
customers build a credit history. Second, we believe we have an obligation
to serve all those in our country who are legally eligible to receive
services. To do less would be discriminatory and unfair."

This program isn't about illegal immigrants??? Does he think we're all stupid?
This isn't right for either side. It's a slap in the face for we citizens who have to show id, have a credit check, etc. and for the illegals who if they are approved will be charged ridiculously high interest. It's just money, good ethical principles don't matter anymore to his bank.

Jean, they do think we're stupid. If its not about illegals, then what is it about? If you don't have a SSN, most likely then you are an illegal. They cant' say its for 8 year kids because even kids have SSN's!