Trump U Instructor to Illegal Immigrants: Here's How to Buy a Home

Weekly Standard ^ | 03/04/2016 | Michael Warren

[SeekAndFind]

An instructor at Donald Trump's Trump Entrepreneur Initiative—originally known as Trump University—once offered advice about how illegal immigrants can purchase homes in the United States. Real estate agent Tina Merritt wrote a blog post for the Trump Blog in April 2010 titled "Can an Illegal Immigrant Buy a Home in the United States?" Merritt explained that the answer was "yes."

Here's an excerpt from the archived blog post:

First of all, you do not have to have a social security number to buy or sell a home in the U.S. Some mortgage lenders require one; however, there is not a law requiring one. You do need to have some form of government issued identification, even if it is from another country (such as a passport or driver's license).
Those without a social security number will need an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number) number which is issued by the IRS to foreign nationals for paying taxes on money they earn in the U.S.

Merritt noted that while it is difficult for illegal immigrants to get mortgage loans, several banks have programs designed for those immigrants.

"Lastly, it is not illegal to own real estate in the U.S. even if one is in the country illegally," she wrote. "If getting a mortgage is not an option, one can always pay cash."

The Trump Blog was marketed as an outlet for "Ideas and Opinions from Donald Trump and The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative Instructors." Some former clients of the online education company, a division of the Trump Organization, are currently suing for fraud.

Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a centerpiece of his presidential campaign.

[SeekAndFind]

Here is the Blog Post in Full:

Can an Illegal Immigrant Buy a Home in the United States?

Posted by Tina Merritt on 4/20/2010 at 3:38 PM
Posted in Real Estate

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 With all of the recent news about cracking down on illegal immigration, I wondered what the laws were about undocumented immigrants buying homes here in the United States.  Here is what I discovered:

First of all, you do not have to have a social security number to buy or sell a home in the U.S.  Some mortgage lenders require one; however, there is not a law requiring one.  You do need to have some form of government issued identification, even if it is from another country (such as a passport or driver's license).

Those without a social security number will need an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number) number which is issued by the IRS to foreign nationals for paying taxes on money they earn in the U.S.

Building a credit history.  Obviously, without a social security number, one does not get a credit score.  Some lenders will "build" a credit file using rental payments, utility bills, and other sources.

Finding a lender who will fund these mortgages can be a challenge.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the 2 largest purchasers of mortgages in the secondary market, will not buy loans given to illegal immigrants.

Citibank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo all have mortgage loan programs available for undocumented immigrants.

Lastly, it is not illegal to own real estate in the U.S. even if one is in the country illegally.  If getting a mortgage is not an option, one can always pay cash. 

Tina Merritt is an 11 year veteran Real Estate Agent and Trainer based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.  She holds a degree in economics from Virginia Tech and post-baccalaureate from Virginia Commonwealth in real estate and land development.  As an avid social networker and internet marketer, Tina helps real estate agents, loan officers and affiliated industries embrace technology.  As a real estate agent, Tina primarily deals with marketing and selling properties deemed "hard to sell" and also works with real estate investors helping them build and/or liquidate their portfolios for maximum profit.

 

[Sacajaweau]

Ask Marco...

[rineaux]

Hold tight, another anti-Trump article from this and several other fish wrappers will be out momentarily.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well, shame on him, he should make amends...

Ooooooops.....

[Publius22]

Neo-cons are really obsessed with Trump University. It tells us that they realize criticizing Trump on foreign policy won’t work to their advantage.

[SeekAndFind]

Bill Kristol is an idiot. Trump is NOT my choice for the nomination, but between Trump and Hillary, there really should be no questions — ABC <-— Anybody But Clinton.

[Socon-Econ]

Don’t accept criticism about Trump hiring illegals from people who have no problem with illegals.

[Jane Long]

Yawn.

The writer wrote about existing Real Estate laws.

Don’t like the laws? We need to change them. Building the wall is a great first step.

You and your anti-Trump outlets are busy diggers, I’ll give you that.

[Johnny B.]

Hold tight, another anti-Trump article from this and several other fish wrappers will be out momentarily.

And yet another Trumpster, ignoring the facts, and instead attacking the messenger.

[VitacoreVision]

Not seeing the issue. She explained how the law worked.

“I wondered what the laws were about undocumented immigrants buying homes here in the United States. Here is what I discovered:”

[SeekAndFind]

So, are the laws still existing?

[qman]

Trump proved last night he is Captain Queeg, this man is mentally unbalanced. The Troops do what I tell them to do, commit war crimes Donald? I think not! Donald Trump is going down a very dark road.

[jjotto]

Unfair to Kristol! He would also rather see Hillary elected than Jeb! That’s why he supported Jeb! as this cycle’s GOP designated loser.

[MNJohnnie]

Wow the Rove directed GOPE smear machine is reaching desperation levels now.

Guild by unknown association now?

Just how pathetically sad.

[Jane Long]

AFAIK. Are they?

What’s your point?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Yeah there is the hypocrite factor too.

But anyhow I thought it was funny. Do they or don’t they want him to make amends, and if they do, they have the perfect reason to vote for him now!

[Rennes Templar]

Finally the real cause for Trump’s strong immigration stance is revealed! He caused the crisis in the first place by luring millions of illegals here to buy homes!

[longtermmemmory]

Thomas Jefferson started a University too.

(s)GASP! Thomas Jefferson was in cahoots with the base!(/s)

[rineaux]

Keep following the rag mag. All talkers and tough types over there and no action. Good luck to you.