I have been avoiding politics lately for various reasons, but a story is in the news and has urged me to speak my mind. It is the typical multi-layered story that causes lots of press and outrage on the surface before anyone even bothers to think about it. Bank of America has decided to issue credit cards to illegal immigrants and this decision has caused waves of outrage and disgust from the average person, but should it? Is this really as dumb as it admittedly sounds?
A credit card is a trust based form of currency. It is simply an instant loan from a bank to an individual to assist in purchasing and is also used as a form of identification. To many, illegal immigrants have shown they are not to be trusted because they already broke the law to get here and are breaking more laws staying and working here so it makes no sense to validate them by giving them credit cards. I think it makes perfect sense to give them credit cards personally and I think you will see why.
The biggest problem facing those trying to enforce the immigration laws are that those breaking those laws remain under the radar. They cannot get Ids, they cannot get Social Security cards, and they cannot get credit cards. This forces them to remain underground and untraceable. Once they cross the boarder they vanish from all law enforcement and immigration agencies and they will not resurface again. This leaves stopping them at the boarder as the only option left to INS and they obviously need more because they are not stopping anyone.
Our society is becoming more and more of a cashless society everyday. The amount of things a person cannot do if they have no credit is growing daily. These people have worked very hard to get here and are already criminals in the eyes of the law so it is not that far a stretch for them to break more laws to stay here- stealing identity for example. If they could get credit cards they would become part of the system. They could not vanish because every purchase could be traced. There is no way to trace cash. We would force the illegal immigrants to come above ground.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - JustOneMan
No its Dumber than it sounds...this gives more rights to illegals than legal Americans...
A legal citizen trying to secure a credit card at the Bank of UnAmerica MUST present a valid social security number if not its called FRAUD. Anyone speaking spanish can walk in make up a name and get a credit card...oh yea that makes sense!
2 - Brad Schader
Anyone speaking spanish can walk in make up a name and get a credit card
You seem to think that is not happening now. The difference would be that as of now every illegal immigrant must do this whether they are here as criminals or just people looking for a better life.
Besides, the main thing is that they would be tracable if this were to happen. Right now they are cash only. How are you going to find someone with no ID and no record of purchases?
3 - JustOneMan
tracable?...you guys have no idea the some illegals live in the country...10 people living in a 2 bedroom apartment, no apt. lease since they always pay cash, no home or cell phone numbers ( they buy cell phones that your reup your minutes at the 711 in cash), their employers do not list them on payroll records, etc, etc, etc...
So please tell us how do you trace someone who just has to make up a name and secure a credit card?
In the end as it always does..the hard working middle class with pay more to subsidize ILLEGALS invaders...while Bank of UnAmerica rakes in the money..
JOM...
4 - Brad Schader
So please tell us how do you trace someone who just has to make up a name and secure a credit card?
Have you ever gotten a credit card? It takes a little more than just "making up a name." If you hate immigrants then just say so. You are backing up your arguement with nothing fact based and everything hate based.
5 - Nancy
It doesn't matter what their motives are for being here, whether criminal or not; they are ILLEGAL. Period. No further comments should be necessary. They should have no access to services of ANY sort, and those that aid & abet them, shield or shelter them for any reason should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible, with humongous fines or jail time if they are US citizens, and automatic, unappealable expulsion if they are not.
6 - JustOneMan
Brad...where the fuck are you coming from...I love LEGAL immigrants..both of my Nannys and Grampas were immigrants...ILLEGAL is ILLEGAL..what dont you understand..
JOM
7 - Aku
This is not stupid at all. If you look at the terms offered by Bank of America and Citibank for these credit cards, they view illegal as high credit risks. These are far, far from platinum or gold cards.
1. The illegals need a checking account with a certain amount of money in it at the bank in question. So they already have some of their cash to all back on if they don't pay.
2. The credit limit is low. Illegals can’t charge up a storm and skip town.
3. Interest and fees are VERY high.
These are the same terms you offer any person with high credit risk.
As to the reasoning of the piece, it is specious.
The minting of coin/printing of money brings new money into the system without a corresponding debt. A credit card does not do this. It does not matter how much credit cards are used or necessary (I even doubt this part of your argument. I can do just about anything I can do with a credit card with cash or money orders. They are just not as convenient. But that is besides the point).
JOM:
If you want to apply for a credit card with the same terms as this one without a social security card I am sure the banks would let you. How is this granting more rights? Plus, business do not grant rights, governments do.
Nancy
Until we have actual enforcement of laws to that effect, there is no reason why Bank of America should not sell to illegals when Kroger can.
8 - JustOneMan
Aku..again you are missing some major points.
They are here illegally...so the Bank Of UnAmerica is aiding and abeting a person in the act of a FEDERAL CRIME...
JOM....
9 - JustOneMan
Aku..again you are missing some major points.
They are here illegally...so the Bank Of UnAmerica is aiding and abeting a person in the act of a FEDERAL CRIME...
JOM....
10 - Brad Schader
The credit as currency was a side note. I tend to fall victim to tangets. My main point is that right now illegal immigrants are cash only and thus below the radar. Credit cards places them in the system.
JustOne has yet to show how this would give more rights. I left out the word "illegal" in my response to him and I am sorry for that. I am not implying you are a bigot.
11 - Brad Schader
Just,
Only Americans have credit cards?
12 - JustOneMan
OK Brad...lets make it allow
1)ex-cons to posess a hand gun,
2)convicted pedophiles to work in grade schools in close contact with children,
3) People to drink beer and/or martinis while driving
...oh wait a minute... arent these things illegal?
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...I rest my case!
JOM
13 - Brad Schader
Just,
That is such a leap of logic I cannot even comment on it. It makes ZERO sense.
14 - JustOneMan
leap...illegal is illegal...you refusal and/or inability to comprehend this is based upon your lack of logic and/or intellect
JOM
15 - Brad Schader
Insults- the end of reasoned debate. Have a good day Just.
16 - Aku
"They are here illegally...so the Bank Of UnAmerica is aiding and abeting a person in the ct of a FEDERAL CRIME..."
SO is Kroger when they sell illegals grocereies, so? Where is your rage aganst them?
My point being that until those laws are enforced, this is a moot point.
17 - JustOneMan
Brad..its just that you cannot defend your baseless illogical position.
JOM
18 - Brad Schader
LOL Just,
Read the article first, then try addressing points I make instead of closing your eyes and saying over and over "it's illegal." Black and white are fine shades, but should not be all you see.
19 - zingzing
jom- ex-cons not only can possess hand guns, they can get a concealed carry license.
20 - zingzing
jom-- your arguments make no sense. you realize this, yeah?
you can say "illegal is illegal," but that's not much of a point to make.
where is the harm in taking immigrants cash and giving them a credit card?
21 - JustOneMan
zing your half right..
Convicted felons cannot legally own handguns, but four out of five criminal convictions in the United States are for misdemeanors and a misdemeanor conviction, until recently, had no impact on the right to own or use a handgun. Domestic violence laws are changing that...
The point is since these guys are illegal we shouldnt even be dicussing their right to have a credit card..
tell the to go home..apply to gain legal entry..get here legally... go to the bank.. and legally get a credit card..can i make it any more clearer?
JOM
22 - zingzing
that's how you feel. unfortunately, (and even your glorious leader george w bush understands this,) reality often does not conform to legality.
immigrants, some of them anyway, use our health services. some immigrants pay social security and medicare taxes using false SSNs. wouldn't it be better if they all paid those taxes, no matter what their legal status?
you should be celebrating this. it offers some reliable way to track illegal immigrants. they create a paper trail. this type of information could be used to catch them, i would guess.
credit is a service, a commodity, just like anything else. if you aren't upset about them buying gasoline, or food, (because they are going to do these things, illegal or not,) why are you so upset about them using credit?
on guns--the fact is that there are so many loopholes in the laws that a man convicted of trying to kill his wife can, within a couple of years, walk around with a fucking .45 beneath his jacket. it's ridiculous.
23 - Brad Schader
it offers some reliable way to track illegal immigrants. they create a paper trail.
The bulk of my argument supporting this which only shows Just only read the headline and not the story.
24 - zingzing
yeah, well, there you go. that's his way.
25 - Nancy
It certainly gives food for thought - to me, at least. Zing #22, you're certainly right on the mark there.