Posted on 08/09/2007 6:44:05 PM PDT by GATOR NAVY
The immigration bill that would give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants may be dormant in the Senate for the time being, but the debate over this hot-button issue is far from over.
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 forced the federal government to change the way we look at critical national-security issues. Almost immediately, we realized that a primary task would involve tracking funding to potential terrorist organizations through American banking institutions. Our citizens deserve to know our financial institutions are not putting our national security at risk.
In order to finance their plans, terrorists need to be able to move large amounts of money in and out of the country, beyond the scrutiny of law enforcement. Choking off the money supply has been critical in our efforts to fight global terrorism.
Unfortunately, this sensible effort is being undermined from an unexpected direction. Recently, several major American financial institutions have exploited loopholes in federal law to initiate pilot programs that grant illegal immigrants legal access to our financial sector. These programs allow illegal immigrants to receive credit cards, mortgages, and transfer money to countries throughout the world.
Despite all our efforts to prevent our institutions from being used against us, some banks seem intent on creating a back door into the American financial system.
As the average American faces ever more daunting stacks of paperwork when applying for credit cards, loans, and other financial services, some banks are creating a second, parallel process for applicants who cannot prove legal residence.
Some prominent financial institutions, most notably Bank of America, are consciously exploiting loopholes in federal money-laundering law and “gray areas” within IRS regulations to allow illegal immigrants access to credit cards and loans. Despite intense media pressure and citizen backlash, these institutions continue this practice to this day, without repercussion.
Banks have the option of accepting a range of documents to verify a customer’s proof of identity under current law. And yet, operating within the letter but outside the spirit of the law, certain banks are choosing to allow anyone with an “individual taxpayer identification number” (ITIN) and an additional government-issued form of identification to apply for a credit card or loan.
The catch is that this second form of identification is often the matricula consular, issued by Mexico, and frequently counterfeited and easily obtained on the black market. Without ever having produced a Social Security number, passport, visa, or credit history, an applicant can simply maintain a $500 balance in a checking account for three months for the bank to issue a credit card.
Having made no additional effort to verify the applicant’s identity or immigration status, the bank issues a card complete with a predatory interest rate of over 20 percent. An industry lobbyist assured me that opening checking accounts and providing loans to illegal aliens are simply good-faith efforts to cater to an untapped and underserved market. In his words, financial institutions should be able to “bank illegal immigrants.”
Apparently these banks have no problem catering to an “untapped market” that often trades in human smuggling, drug trafficking, and gun running. By “banking illegal immigrants,” it is quite possible that American financial institutions could be unwitting participants in the money-laundering efforts of a Columbian drug lord or a weapons dealer from the Middle East.
And who will pay the piper when illegal immigrants cannot pay their bills? Not the bank. Instead, the American people can expect higher interest rates for those who can pay: you and me. After all, if someone is willing to apply for credit with fraudulent documents, what reason do we have to expect that person to be responsible for the charges?
I intend to cut off this regressive cost shift, invitation to identity theft, and backdoor access into our financial system with the Photo Identification Security Act. This bill requires financial institutions to accept only secure forms of identification. A non-citizen, (but) legal resident, could present a lawful permanent resident card (“green card”) in conjunction with a driver’s license that complies with the Real ID Act. Only legal United States residents will have these forms of ID, ensuring that only legal residents will have access to the services.
Simply put, banks should not be actively pursuing illegal immigrants as a new market. If we allow lenders to continue to exploit these loopholes, we are essentially saying that the distinction between a legal and illegal immigrant does not matter. By allowing a retreat from the standards of accountability and transparency that Congress enacted to prevent money laundering, we are abandoning hard-won tools against those who patiently wait for opportunities to do us harm.
It seems entirely reasonable to me to say to banks and illegal immigrants alike, “You can’t get a Visa without a visa.”
— Marsha Blackburn is a Republican congresswoman from Tennessee.
I'd modify this to "After all, if someone's entire existence in our country is based on criminality and fraud from the moment they cross the border, what reason do we have to expect that person to be responsible for the charges?"
Unfortunately, this sensible effort is being undermined from an unexpected direction. Recently, several major American financial institutions have exploited loopholes in federal law to initiate pilot programs that grant illegal immigrants legal access to our financial sector. These programs allow illegal immigrants to receive credit cards, mortgages, and transfer money to countries throughout the world.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha, just look to your president. He is the one who directed that illegals be able to do all this. And, they are not loopholes, it is all legal!
I get so tired of educating politicians.
I received this in an email re bank security issues that could easily relate to ‘terrorism loopholes’...it is funny and unsettling at the same time: A conversation between a Customer and Bank of America
Bank: This is the Bank of America, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, I want to ccel my account. I don’t want to do business with you any longer.
Bank: Why?
Customer: You’re giving credit to illegal immigrants and I don’t think it’s right. I’m taking my business elsewhere.
Bank: Well, Mr. Customer, we don’t want to see you do that, but we can’t stop you. I’ll help you close the account. What is your account number?
Customer: (gives account number)
Bank: For security purposes and for your protection,can you please give me the last four digits of your social security number?
Customer: No.
Bank: Mr. Customer, I need to verify your information, but in order to help you, I’ll need verification of who you are.
Customer: Why should I give you my social security number? The reason I’m closing my account is that your bank is issuing credit cards to illegal immigrants who don’t have social security numbers. You are targeting that audience and want their business. Let’s say I’m an illegal immigrant and you’ve given me a credit card. I have a question about it and call for assistance. You wouldn’t be asking me for a Social Security number, would you?
Bank: No sir, I wouldn’t.
Customer: Why not?
Bank: Because you would have pressed ‘2’ to speak in Spanish. We don’t ask for that information when calling in on the Spanish line.
CHECK THIS T ON SNOPES!!!!! IT’S TRUE!!!!!!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/bankofamerica.asp
>>Who in their right mind would walk into a Japanese finanancial facility, and have the nerve to apply for a SUMITOMO VISA, without a “gaijin touroku shomeisho” (foreigner’s identity card required of all legal residents of Japan from abroad)??????
Answer, no one.
America should take a hint from Japan. The Japanese police aggressively conduct racial profiling. They will stop a foreigner out of the blue and ask for ID. The Japanese immigration bureau aggressively deports and bars citizens that work illegally for 10 years. Furthermore, the Japanese customs jails foreigners possessing small amounts of marijuana for months if not years, no luxuries.
Of course, Japan does not have a open border, but America could change that in one month with a good fence and more immigration police.
Bank of America & Wells Fargo come to mind.
What do know about Marsha Blackburn?
She’s a US Congresswoman from TN...I’ve met her personally ...she’s a great American
She is a leader in laws concerning the illegal aliens..
She feels that they need to go home and not be mollycoddled and not get freebies or a free pass on further crimes..
Theese people are traitors
Tennesseans like myself put Marsha in there to do just what she’s doing: representing the interests of her state and the nation. Mrs. Blackburn knows the problems and has spoken at many patriotic events defending citizens fighting against the illegals encroachment.
Wish we had more like that.
When we were stationed on Okinawa years ago we had a Bank of America account and lots of lovely Yen..(the exchange rate was 305 Yen to the US Dollar)
We wrote a check for Y44,000 every month for our rent...
We didnt have to lose money every month during the sudden flucuation on rent paying day...the first of the month...
But we had to show lots of ID etc...It was not as easy to open an acct there as it was in the US
Would the illegal aliens dare sue the Japanese parliament?
Marsha has been good on the issue. However, she needs to be either educated or honest. It is NOT a loophole.
http://www.eagleforum.org/psr/2003/feb03/psrfeb03.shtml
According to shocking information discovered by the Center for Immigration Studies, the U.S. Treasury Department winked at this practice in a sly footnote to its report to Congress (10-22-02) on implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act (which was supposed to guard against identity fraud). Footnote #17 stated, “The proposed regulations do not discourage bank acceptance of the ‘matricula consular’ identity card that is being issued by the Mexican government to immigrants.”
Who do you think guides the Treasury Department?
Q. Why should I get a Mexican ID?
A. Criminal Friendly Cities like Los Angeles that recognize the ID, will make life easier for you if you carry the ID.
Q. What are the advantages of having a Mexican ID?
A. A Mexican ID can be used in lieu of a driver’s license to access a wide range of public services in the City and County of Los Angeles.
Q. Do I have to be a Mexican to get a Mexican ID?
A. No, you only have to present a forged Mexican Birth Certificate to the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.
Q. What if I am an Anglo Criminal. Can I still get a Mexican ID?
A. Technically, yes. But unlike our local authorities, the Mexican Government profiles. The Consulate might get suspicious if you have blond hair and blue eyes.
Q. Many Mexicans like myself were born in a small village where most of the newborn didn’t even obtain birth certificates.
A. Not to worry. Use a forged birth certificate which you can obtain for $25.00 on Alvarado Blvd in the Mac Arthur Park section of L.A. The Mexican Consulate does not verify the information on the birth certificate. But even if they did, they are no better at verifying birth certificates than the L.A. City Council.
Q. What if I get stopped for going through a red light. Will I be deported?
A. No. Upon presenting your Mexican ID, the LAPD officer who stops you, will know that you are illegally in the country, otherwise you wouldn’t need the Mexican ID in the first place. Deporting you would defeat the purpose of the ID. You will only get a ticket.
Q. Will I have to pay the ticket?
A. No. You won’t have to pay the ticket because it will be too much trouble to track you down. But to be on the safe side, you should have several false Mexican IDs to show on different occasions to confuse your identity. None of your IDs should have the correct address or contact information. LAPD officers will not be able to do a “make” on you to verify any information you give them. Remember, once an LAPD officer gives you a ticket, he’s done and you are on your way.
Q. What if I am a fugitive and get stopped for going through a red light in a car that I just stole. Will I go to jail?
A. No. When you present your Mexican ID to the LAPD officer, he will have no way of knowing that you are a serial killer or that you just stole the car you were stopped in. The worst that will happen is that the car you just stole will be impounded and the officer will tell you that you will have to walk home. But you won’t have to walk home if you steal another car.
Q. If I am an American Citizen or legal resident who has a valid ID such as a driver’s license, is there an advantage to also obtaining a Mexican ID?
A. Yes. There is a big advantage for criminals to use a Mexican ID instead of a valid California driver’s license. If you are stopped by an LAPD officer for an infraction, he won’t know that you are a criminal if you show a Mexican ID. That’s why it is a good idea to leave your California driver’s license home.
Q. Why would the Mexican Consulate issue a Mexican ID if I already have a valid California ID?
A. The Mexican government recognizes dual citizenship. If you or your mother are from Mexico, they will be happy to provide you with a supplemental Mexican ID. But just to stay on the safe side, don’t tell them that you are an American Citizen or Legal Resident.
Q. What happens if the Mexican Consulate figures out that I am trying to obtain a Mexican ID with a false birth certificate?
A. Nothing. But they won’t let you have the ID.
Funny thing is I lived and worked in Mexico for almost three years from 78-80 and had the opportunity to legitimately pick up a Mexican drivers License. I didn’t because there didn’t seem to be a ny good reason to do so
If the US wants to get rid of illegal immigrants, it’s very simple.
1) Build a wall.
2a) Do not allow transfer payments to foreign nations without proof of citizenship or legal residency.
2b) A green card (work/family visa) should be exactly that. A biometric identification card of a resident alien. “You no show American ID, you no send money.” Western Union should be threatened that all their assets will be taken unless they comply fully.
-Transfer payments via the internet are easily traceable these days. The money will go underground, which screws unscrupulous drug dealers who are looking for a cheap buck.
But Bush and the Democrats will not stand for that.
Japan is a largely homogeneous country. There are mostly Japanese in Japan (Duh). In America, there are whites, blacks, Asians, etc. To racially profile for illegal immigrants would be useless because you can't target illegals based on race alone.
Illegals come in many different flavors and colors. There are Irish illegals, Asian illegals and of course, Mexican illegals.
Personally, what I would like to see from our spineless government is to put a visa expiration date on licenses. But they won't because they're afraid of looking like they're "racist" or "xenophobic" rather than trying to protect the borders, especially in this time when we should bolster border control the most.
BTW, I immigrated here legally when I was 5.
1) Severely punish Americans that knowingly hire illegals.
2) Severely punish Americans that knowingly rent or sell housing to illegals (requires making it illegal to rent or sell to illegals). This includes making it illegal to provide mortgages to illegals.
You can go after Americans that do these things. It is these Americans that provide the incentive to come here illegally. I think they’re thieves that steal from the community at large. The community has every right to go after them.
No job and no place to live they’d go home on their own.
No mass deportations at our expense only to have them come back a week later.
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