Bank of America aims new credit card at illegal immigrants

[pedroh 21]

what bout the bunch of k1'ers that want to stablish credit but can't because they don't have yet their ss# or a credit history??

i've seen a looooottt of complaints here bout that.. so.. what's the big deal?

Those numbers are small compare to the number of illegal immigrants crossing our borders.

well, they aren't the first to do it.. sprint does it.. u only need a passport or a consular id and a paystub to get a cellphone.. i don't see the big issue here, it's legit biz, it's so good, that even companies that didn't accept those documents before (cingular) accept them now..

[Caladan 19]

Not to rain on the parade, but Bank of America has always been recommended around here, at least, as the credit card for an international student to get because it didn't require excessive documentation or a credit history, and it would let you secure a low-ceiling credit card with cash.

And technically, the only thing a social security number is required for is reporting income. It's one way of verifying identity, and an easy one, but not legally required (or really all that sensible, if you think about it.)

[pedroh 21]

Not to rain on the parade, but Bank of America has always been recommended around here, at least, as the credit card for an international student to get because it didn't require excessive documentation or a credit history, and it would let you secure a low-ceiling credit card with cash.

And technically, the only thing a social security number is required for is reporting income. It's one way of verifying identity, and an easy one, but not legally required (or really all that sensible, if you think about it.)

exactly.. the SS# stuff was thanks to Paranoia act, i mean Patriot act.. and if I'd known about it, I'd have gone to BOA too.. first time I tried to bank was at Wachovia, they tried to get everything, letter from my grandma, letter from my employer that I was working for them because I was a resident. a bunch of BS if you ask me.. so I went to the state bank, since my wife is a state employee, I just gave them my drivers license, my SS# card, and some money and that was it, bank account..

Edited February 13, 2007 by pedroh

[Heracles 417]

what bout the bunch of k1'ers that want to stablish credit but can't because they don't have yet their ss# or a credit history??

i've seen a looooottt of complaints here bout that.. so.. what's the big deal?

What part of "ilegal inmigrante" don't you understand.. Are you seriously going to sit here and compare a K1 visa holder to an illegal immigrant..

[Jenn! 918]

Bank of America is a private corporation. What's the issue here?

[rebeccajo 14]

It's business.

And so is dope dealing, narcotics smuggling, pimping, kiddie porn, etc. It doesn't make it right and just because they (BoA) can do it...doesn't mean they should do it!

No, those are crimes. Offering a legitimate banking product to customers is hardly apples to apples, peejay.

Offering legitimate banking products to illegal aliens should be a crime. Along with employing them illegally!

Employing them illegally already is a crime.

[Heracles 417]

exactly.. the SS# stuff was thanks to Paranoia act, i mean Patriot act.. and if I'd known about it, I'd have gone to BOA too.. first time I tried to bank was at Wachovia, they tried to get everything, letter from my grandma, letter from my employer that I was working for them because I was a resident. a bunch of BS if you ask me.. so I went to the state bank, since my wife is a state employee, I just gave them my drivers license, my SS# card, and some money and that was it, bank account..

Sorry dude this ain't Mexico. If companies in the US conducted business the Mexican way this country would have ended up a Mexico.. This is a matter of national security. Or are you endorsing anyone under the sun ,from south America, should be able to walk into this country, steal jobs from Americans and now setup financial accounts..

How would you like it if someone did the same thing with their buddies and camped inside your house??

[Heracles 417]

Bank of America is a private corporation. What's the issue here?

So you must be okay with people of middle eastern decent not being able to open financial accounts without proper authorization, while "illegal" immigrants get a get-out-of-jail free pass..

[Jenn! 918]

Bank of America is a private corporation. What's the issue here?

So you must be okay with people of middle eastern decent not being able to open financial accounts without proper authorization, while "illegal" immigrants get a get-out-of-jail free pass..

No. I just find it ironic that the same people who usually are so adamant against government involvement in corporations' practices get up in arms when you add illegal immigrants into the mix.

[rebeccajo 14]

What's Middle Eastern decent?

[Jenn! 918]

What's Middle Eastern decent?

[Heracles 417]

No. I just find it ironic that the same people who usually are so adamant against government involvement in corporations' practices get up in arms when you add illegal immigrants into the mix.

I don't know what you are talking about because I am all for the country's government policing companies and drawing lines in the sand.. For example, to open up a bank account in Australia one needs to pass a 100 point ID check..

This is where the US government has to get with the program and be proactive rather than relying on rules created 80 years or simply being reactive to events such as terrorism.

[Heracles 417]

What's Middle Eastern decent?

"descent"

[Jenn! 918]

No. I just find it ironic that the same people who usually are so adamant against government involvement in corporations' practices get up in arms when you add illegal immigrants into the mix.

I don't know what you are talking about because I am all for the country's government policing companies and drawing lines in the sand.. For example, to open up a bank account in Australia one needs to pass a 100 point ID check..

This is where the US government has to get with the program and be proactive rather than relying on rules created 80 years or simply being reactive to events such as terrorism.

So then you object to Bank of America's lax policy due to potential terrorism rather than because the policy "encourages" the presence of illegal immigrants?

[Fandango 1,440]

BoA is free to do what BoA wants, and apparantly does...but I really do have a problem with being able to hold an American credit card if you have no ss#. Simple as that.