Bill would block credit cards for illegals

Commercial Appeal ^ | 03.07.07 | Bartholomew Sullivan

[Dr. Marten]

Bill would block credit cards for illegals

 

Blackburn seeks to close loophole in U.S. banking

 

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced legislation Monday that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving credit cards from American financial institutions.

The Photo Identification Security Act would require banks to use what Blackburn calls "secure forms of identification" to obtain credit. In a statement put out by her office, she says that Bank of America "has come under fire in response to reports that it allows illegal immigrants access to credit cards without proper documentation."

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Bank of America spokesmen maintain that they follow the letter of the law in permitting customers to use the forms of identification permissible under the U.S.A. Patriot Act. That includes matricula consular cards issued by the Mexican government.

"The American people deserve to know that the integrity and security of our financial institutions will remain intact," Blackburn said in a statement Monday. "This bill closes a critical loophole that banking institutions have used to circumvent the letter of the law they have used to target illegal aliens as a new source of revenue. It says to banks and illegal immigrants alike, 'You can't get a Visa, without a visa.'"

Bank of America issues the secured, or collateralized, credit cards only after a customer has established a deposit account, and to get a deposit account, the company requires a Social Security number, proof of U.S. government federal taxpayer status, or other documents listed as identification by the Patriot Act.

[Diver Dave]

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced legislation Monday that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving credit cards from American financial institutions

Hmmmm. If memory serves correctly, it is illegal for illegal immigrants to be in this country and we all know how effective the enforcement of that law has been.

Sounds like another law to be placed on the books with no enforement. Or, just possibly, the financial institutions will be prosecuted and the illegals will still run around free.

But, Hey, what the hell do I know?

[WalterSkinner]

A rising star...

[Jen from Tn.]

you go girl!

[ukie55]

I hate to say I'm for more government regulation, but I have a tough time arguing against this one.

[jetson]

.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced legislation Monday that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving credit cards from American financial institutions.

Gee, who would ever have thought that giving illegals more access to our system is a bad thing. These banks should be shut down.

[Domicile of Doom]

You are correct, it seems boycotts really only work in socialist type societies

[Post-Neolithic]

Is it me or does she look like Sarah Chalke(Elliot Reid in Scrubs)? Not thread related but thought I would comment.

[Colorado Mike]

Oh? And you have called and canceled all your BOA credit cards? When I did (I had 3) by the the second one things were getting interesting...

[OB1kNOb]

I hate to say I'm for more government regulation, but I have a tough time arguing against this one.

Ditto. B of A should change their name to Bank of Amerexico.

[Dr. Marten]

Here's the Text of H.R. 1314:

 

Photo Identification Security Act (Introduced in House)

HR 1314 IH

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1314

To provide that only certain forms of identification of individuals may be accepted by the Federal Government and by financial institutions.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 5, 2007

Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. PRICE of Georgia, Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California, and Mr. ROYCE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

---

A BILL

To provide that only certain forms of identification of individuals may be accepted by the Federal Government and by financial institutions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Photo Identification Security Act'.

SEC. 2. FORMS OF ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURPOSES.

(a) Forms of Acceptable Identification- A Federal agency may not accept, for any official purpose, including for Federal benefits and for individual taxpayer identification numbers, any form of identification of an individual other than the following:

(1) SOCIAL SECURITY CARD WITH PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD OR REAL ID ACT IDENTIFICATION-

(A) A social security card accompanied by a photo identification card issued by the Federal Government or a State Government; or

(B) a driver's license or identification card issued by a State in the case of a State that is in compliance with title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (title II of division B of Public Law 109-13; 49 U.S.C. 30301 note).

(2) PASSPORT- A passport issued by the United States or a foreign government.

(3) USCIS PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD- A photo identification card issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security (acting through the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).

(b) Effective Date- The requirements of subsection (a) shall take effect six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. FORMS OF ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

(a) In General- Section 5318(l) of title 31, United States Code (relating to identification and verification of accountholders) is amended by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following new paragraph:

`(6) FORMS OF ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION- A financial institution may not accept, for the purpose of verifying the identity of an individual seeking to open an account in accordance with this subsection, any form of identification of the individual other than the following:

`(A) SOCIAL SECURITY CARD WITH PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD OR REAL ID ACT IDENTIFICATION-

`(i) A social security card accompanied by a photo identification card issued by the Federal Government or a State Government; or

`(ii) a driver's license or identification card issued by a State in the case of a State that is in compliance with title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (title II of division B of Public Law 109-13; 49 U.S.C. 30301 note).

`(B) PASSPORT- A passport issued by the United States or a foreign government.

`(C) USCIS PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD- A photo identification card issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security (acting through the Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).'.

(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

[WalterSkinner]

..not familiar with that show

I've been watching Marsha in Congress for awhile--sounds like one tough lady...

[TChris]

Normally, I would agree. But since it's illegal to shoot illegals, I don't really see any other alternative because boycotts are a waste of time.

What ever problems exist in any industry, government involvement always makes it worse, not better.

If the government gets involved in who may and may not have credit, you can be guaranteed that it will become a monster entirely detached from its original purpose, probably to guarantee credit for illegals and restrict it for citizens.

...for our own good.

Government "protection" of forests has resulted in increased disease and fire damage of "protected" trees.

Government "management" of "public" lands has resulted in nothing but higher taxes and more restricted access to the public.

What ever your good intentions, giving the government more power over the decisions of others is always a Bad Idea.

[Grammy]

I am proud to say Marsha is my rep.

Marsha is a bulldog, and will go far towards representing real consevatism.

[Grammy]

or conservatism

[Prokopton]

Everyone! Repeat after me: More government regulation is not the answer!

This is already regulated. The bill only changes the already extant regulation by changing the list of what ID is acceptable.

Are you arguing that once a regulation exists it should never be changed even though it is clear it is not working the way it was designed to?

[wordsofearnest]

Just enforce the laws already on the books.

[voltaires_zit]

Interestingly, there's a bill pending that would repeal title II of the Real ID Act...

[lilylangtree]

Start in the right direction. Does anyone know the status of the bill that prevents babies of illegals born in the US automatic citizenship? Passage of that bill would be another step on the right path.

[batter]

When regulation involves upholding established laws (immigration, in this case), I don't have a problem with it.
Are you suggesting that it would be ok for financial institutions to establish special credit/banking programs for felons or fugitives? I doubt it.

[TChris]

This is already regulated. The bill only changes the already extant regulation by changing the list of what ID is acceptable.

I was unaware of that.

But my comment still stands. :-)

Are you arguing that once a regulation exists it should never be changed even though it is clear it is not working the way it was designed to?

I'd argue that once a regulation exists, its continued existence should require regular review and justification. Unfortunately, govt. regulations are eternal and immutable. Most of them are unnecessary and many are counterproductive.