Bank of America Giving Credit Cards to Illegal Aliens

Report: Bank of America's New Credit Card Targets Illegal Immigrants
Tuesday, February 13, 2007

E-MAIL STORY PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION
NEW YORK — Bank of America Corp. has begun offering credit cards to customers without Social Security numbers, typically illegal immigrants, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

In recent years, banks across the country have been offering checking accounts and even mortgages to the nation's fast-growing ranks of undocumented immigrants, most of whom are Hispanic, the paper said, adding these immigrants generally have not been able to get major credit cards.

The new Bank of America card is open to people who lack both a Social Security number and a credit history, as long as they have held a checking account with the bank for three months without an overdraft, the Journal said.

Bank of America tested the program last year at five branches in Los Angeles, and last week expanded it to 51 branches in Los Angeles County, home to the largest concentration of illegal immigrants in the U.S., the Journal said.

A Bank of America spokesman was not immediately available to comment.

I am offended that I have to give information
that illegals do not so I will be moving my accounts to another bank I think very shortly

Maurice Barbour wrote:

I am offended that I have to give information
that illegals do not so I will be moving my accounts to another bank I think very shortly

I am taking all of my business out of there,,, tomorrow!!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA,(but not the Bank of America)

I am a Mexican American born here in the United States, I am 42 years old and have spent more than half my life working to maintain a good credit history. What B of A is doing is un-American, but then again they are in a win-win situation because when those credit cards inevitably go into default, B of A will just past the cost on to the consumer!

Pulling my accounts.

this is being taken out of context so badly that it isnt even funny. We ask the same questions to all applicants, and all applications are put thru the same systems. All applications are reviewed on an individual basis, its not like we are just handing out credit cards. The media has put such a spin on the truth that its not even funny. And the card they are referring to is not just for immigrants it is also for americans with little or no credit history that are looking to build credit. And PLEASE realize that calling bank of america call centers and cussing out us reps isnt going to do anyone any good. We are just trying to make a living like everyone else, all politics aside.

Unbelievable! I have always known B of A, like so many other banking agencies would anything for money, but this is absurd. I have to give my social security number, drivers license number, and complete life history to get a credit card or loan. Looks like B of A is sleeping with the enemy.

Looks like B of A is part of the "Axis of Evil".
I thought prostitution was against the law. I guess the return on investment is pretty good.

I cannot believe the Bank of AMERICA has chosen to give out these credit cards to people who they have no way of tracking or penalizing for no payment! It is absolutely ridiculous and I am cancelling my accounts!!

I'm thinking of pulling my accounts, but where then should I go? I've read that most of the other big banks are doing the same thing. Any suggestions?

lol you are a bunch of retards. a bunch of hicks, you all might as well start another chapter with the KKK, the new breed of hicks trying to take back America. haha its funny, America was stolen from the Indians, now you people who are not even native Americans, your ancestors came from Europe, now you want to take back and steal rights from one minority to make your ego explode. who cares close your accounts, all banks are doing it, BOA came out nationally with it, hey i cant blame them, give the cards to the Hispanic community and let them reap every reward that your lazy ass American self can not and are not capable of achieving. your just jealous that the Hispanics come to America to do work that you can not be hired for. you are all so foolish, do you know how many just credit card companies give out cards to Hispanics and other races. its something that is called a secured credit card, maybe get your face out of your ass and read about something first hand from the source. i hope you all close your accounts too, i love my accounts at boa, i love the high rates i get with my CD and IRA and my money manager account as well as interest checking, well sucks to be you. more love for me and the rest of boa customers.

what are you going to do when the mexican borders are open for all to come across, leave the country. you low life people need to do something better with yourselves.

a happy boa customer wrote:

lol you are a bunch of retards. a bunch of hicks, you all might as well start another chapter with the KKK, the new breed of hicks trying to take back America. haha its funny, America was stolen from the Indians, now you people who are not even native Americans, your ancestors came from Europe, now you want to take back and steal rights from one minority to make your ego explode. who cares close your accounts, all banks are doing it, BOA came out nationally with it, hey i cant blame them, give the cards to the Hispanic community and let them reap every reward that your lazy ass American self can not and are not capable of achieving. your just jealous that the Hispanics come to America to do work that you can not be hired for. you are all so foolish, do you know how many just credit card companies give out cards to Hispanics and other races. its something that is called a secured credit card, maybe get your face out of your ass and read about something first hand from the source. i hope you all close your accounts too, i love my accounts at boa, i love the high rates i get with my CD and IRA and my money manager account as well as interest checking, well sucks to be you. more love for me and the rest of boa customers.

If you think you are getting "high rates" at the Bank of Aztlan, you are financially illiterate as well as a dumb ass.

SAN DIEGO -- It's the American dream -- buying a home for your family. And now you don't have to be in the country legally to own one.

Wells Fargo is first major California lender to offer home loans to illegal immigrants, 10News reported.

"We're not required to ask the immigration status of any of our customers. That is the responsibility of the federal government," Wells Fargo bank representative Jerry Ruiz said. The program is called "Celebrate Home" and Wells Fargo says it complies with all federal regulations, 10News reported.

Applicants do need a tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service for people who do not have Social Security numbers.

Ruiz said the program is targeted to Wells Fargo customers who have been an account holder for at least six months and who can show proof of residency for two years in the United States -- along with proof that they have filed and reported income taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number.

There are an estimated 10 to 12 million illegal workers in the United States.

Critics say even though the program is legal, it sends the wrong message.

"Any time you have a bank institution lending money to help people buy homes when they're not even allowed to be in the country, it is something that runs contrary to the law. It aids and abets people who are breaking the law," said Ira Melman of the Federation of Immigration Reform.

A bill is being introduced in Congress that would make it illegal to issue loans to illegal immigrants, according to 10News.

this bank is extorting money from legal citizens to pay for illegal law breaking aliens

My only response to the action of Bank of America, Wells Fargo and other financial institutions that cater illegal aliens is to take my business elsewhere. I am not happy with the direction “Our” country is going.

My parents are mexicans and im proud to be Mexican American. Why do almost all of you have to be racist. In my opinion the first people that were in this land were the Native Americans. The other race were from different parts, Immigrants do work that other people like rich people dnt want to do, We should have respect for immigrants. If they go back, we all should go back were our ancistry came from. Stop Hatting on them. They do all of your work

Mariela wrote:

My parents are mexicans and im proud to be Mexican American. Why do almost all of you have to be racist. In my opinion the first people that were in this land were the Native Americans. The other race were from different parts, Immigrants do work that other people like rich people dnt want to do, We should have respect for immigrants. If they go back, we all should go back were our ancistry came from. Stop Hatting on them. They do all of your work

This isn't about race Mariela. It's about the law, plain and simple. This doesn't only apply to Mexicans, but to all who enter and reside in the United States illegally. We just hear about the Mexican race more, because Mexico is so close and we have an epidemic of illegal persons coming into the U.S. via Mexico - this is a fact. Now whether or not that bothers you because you're hispanic, is of no importance to anyone. Whether or not illegals do the work that others won't, is not pertinent to this issue, because let's face it, they're working here ILLEGALLY. What IS important, is that people from foreign countries come into our Country legally, learn the english language, abide by our laws and become citizens the rightful way. That is the law, however our lame government has let this illegal immigration problem get so out of hand that it's gotten our Country into the mess it's in. The problem is so bad that there is really no way to get a handle on all the illegals that are currently residing here. However, heavily policing our borders would certainly help any further infiltration. By the way, we aren't the only country that has immigration laws, we're just one that doesn't enforce them. You shouldn't be offended by this, because afterall, you're American, right?

I just have one question. Is BOA going to lend money to me or my children if we don't give them a ssn or have credit??????? I seriously doubt it. We as Americans no longer have the same rights as the illegal aliens. I am not knocking the illegals, they are just trying to make a better life for their family, but I don't want to know that an illegal can come buy a home next me when my children just starting out can't. How American is that for Americans?

Can I rant?
I'm tired of people throwing race into every issue that has nothing to do with it. I'm Irish, but if massive Irish ppl were going through our borders with no background check or medical check, I'd be pissed. Not to sound paranoid, but you know how easy a terrorist could enter our nation through the mexican border? or a rapist? or someone with fricken ebola? Using race for a NATIONAL SECURITY issue like this is just playing it pussy. a cop out. not for nothing, mexico has a stricter policy with illegal immigrants than us! if i walk into mexico, i get thrown in a VERY unsanitary prison for a good 5-10 years. illegals here get loans. no, its not race, its stupidity from our policians. thats it. finally, im sick of ppl saying that illegals do all the work that "rich white ppl wont do". THAT is a racist remark. if they didnt do it, SOMEONE would do it. you think that with our economy the positions wouldnt be filled? yeah right. im tired of people that act like anyone that doesnt share their opinion is from the kkk or something like a happy boa customer. all theyre doing is giving up their freedom of thought to be politically correct. they are conforming to ignorance just like the other extreme (the hicks) that they deride.