Posted on 07/17/2005 7:03:14 PM PDT by Happy2BMe
High Desert banks tap illegal immigrant market
VICTORVILLE -- National and local banks have found in their quest to attract more customers that catering to illegal immigrants can significantly increase traffic and business.
A widely ignored group for many years, illegal immigrants have become a force within the nation's economy, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research center based in Washington, D.C.
Research by the center shows that of the 13.9 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, 6.3 million of them were employed as of March 2004.
A recent study by Inter-American Dialogue revealed that consumer remittances to Mexico exceeded $14 billion in 2003, surpassing foreign direct investment in Mexico.
The global remittance market is estimated at $110 billion, with remittances to Central America accounting for more than $10 billion, the study indicated.
Based on the number of illegal immigrants living in the Victor Valley, local banks have started accepting documents such as Mexican passports and the controversial matricula consular, an identification that many illegals seek to acquire because California identifications are reserved for those with legal permission to be in the country.
In the Victor Valley, banks such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Desert Community Bank and The Members Own Federal Credit Union have for a while catered to the immigrant community by accepting the matricula consular as a valid document to open an account.
"We cater to everybody. The only color we understand here is the color of green," Desert Community Bank President Ron Wilson said.
Wells Fargo spokeswoman Marie Trigg said that since accepting the matricula consular -- in November 2001 -- 525,000 people have acquired accounts nationwide with the financial institution.
"It's driving up accounts and business for us, that's for sure. The institution is working to keep on providing services that will mold this group's lifestyle," Trigg said.
In addition to having bank representatives who speak Spanish, the four financial institutions have facilitated ways for clients to wire money to their home countries. They also have facilitated loans and mortgage programs.
"Loans are facilitated to those people who can provide us a Social Security number or a taxpayer identification number," Trigg said. "Some people who are undocumented don't have access to Social Security numbers, but if they pay taxes they can get a taxpayer identification number."
Carlos is an illegal immigrant who lives in the High Desert. His last name is not used because he fears prosecution or deportation. For years, Carlos used remittance services, such as Western Union, to send money to his family in Jalisco, Mexico. After learning about banks that accepted the matricula consular, Carlos was able to open an account with a local bank.
"With a bank account I can send money to my family for less (cost) than charged by remittance services," Carlos said.
State Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, said allowing illegal immigrants to use what he classified as a nonsecure document to establish their identity could be a problem.
"I think this is a symptom of a bigger problem and that is the fact that people who are here illegally are able work to the point where they will need a bank account," Runner said.
The Mexican consul for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, denied that the matricula consular is a nonsecure document and said that just because somebody has this document does not automatically determine their legal status.
"The matricula consular is a very safe document that is issued under very strict guidelines. We believe that the work of immigrants benefits the economy of this country, and banks are recognizing that fact," he said.
Carlos, who sends around $300 every two weeks, said that opening a bank account in this country has made his life easier.
He said he would soon like to take advantage of a mortgage loan.
"I've been looking at buying a little house here," Carlos said. "This may be the best time to buy, since home prices are going up.
"This is part of my American dream, and I am close to getting it."
"Loans are facilitated to those people who can provide us a Social Security number or a taxpayer identification number," Trigg said."Some people who are undocumented don't have access to Social Security numbers, but if they pay taxes they can get a taxpayer identification number."
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"Based on the number of illegal immigrants living in the Victor Valley, local banks have started accepting documents such as Mexican passports and the controversial matricula consular, an identification that many illegals seek to acquire because California identifications are reserved for those with legal permission to be in the country."
there have been numerous articles within the last several years saying the same thing:
illegals without s.s. numbers can be assigned a taxpayer i.d. number for the purpose of getting a house loan.
also, filing a tax return is in their best interest because most often those with children get money back from the u.s. govt.
I assume that the bank wouldn't give a loan without it being insured. Good thing we taxpayers are here to pick up the tab.
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Carlos, who sends around $300 every two weeks, said that opening a bank account in this country has made his life easier.
He said he would soon like to take advantage of a mortgage loan.
"I've been looking at buying a little house here," Carlos said. "This may be the best time to buy, since home prices are going up.
"This is part of my American dream, and I am close to getting it."
This is a really really devious plan. How can you deport an illegal who owes a bank money for his house? Can you imagine the uproar? Our own government is going to make it impossible to preserve our nation by regulating immigration.
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,
1. The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.
if you look at france, they do not allow the social integration of moslems, nor do the moslems want to integrate, and so what do you have? a mess, simply. and more probably protracted urban warfare in the future. si.
so, given that the illegals are here, it makes sense to integrate them. they buy houses and cars. our economy hums.
white boy meets mexican girl, white girl meets mexican boy, they have ligher skinned babies, the need washers, dryers, diapers, etc.
it'll all work out.
"I assume that the bank wouldn't give a loan without it being insured. Good thing we taxpayers are here to pick up the tab."
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Research by the center shows that of the 13.9 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, 6.3 million of them were employed as of March 2004.
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The other 7.6 million 'unemployed' are queuing in lines for free healthcare, education and other support services provided by the states they reside in under mandate of the law.
The law is an ass and so are those who approve of this and actually encourage it..
ALL IN BED TOGETHER SO TO SPEAK
Guess I left up there just in time!
Employers hiring, harboring, or aiding illegal aliens are breaking federal law and robbing Americans of billions in tax revenue each year.
Whats interesting as well, is how can a bank of america or wells fargo take money from a criminal alien to send money out of the country? Isn't that aiding and abetting criminals?
In essence, the illegal alien invasion is being funded by American taxpayers in full violation of United States Federal Law and in direct opposition to the will of the American People.
The trick is to make more money off of illegal invaders than
you have to pay to support them, their kids, pay in taxes toward their medical bills and in taxes to pay the police, courts, police, fire, ambulance and increases in insurance for all the institutions you support...
Of course eventually they will bankrupt you but what the heck.
Wait till the illegal invaders begin collecting social security, workman's comp, unemployment insurace form unions or have enough voting power to get politicans to assure them of more and more entitlements....
And send all that money back to Mexico...or simply move all their kin folk to the small towns of El Norte..
A Sea Change ..Pardigm shift...in American culture...
Thanks Jorge...you're a real peach of a guy...
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