Posted on 04/08/2002 4:07:42 AM PDT by GRRRRR
See my post #19
Not the point. If they bank they will be tracked and taxed. And possibly deported.
The bank will not actually ask them if they are "undocumented", only ask for a valid Mexican id.
Most of these people don't pay taxes. Most are low income and by the time they file, they end up getting most or all of their money back.
Besides, illegal means just exactly what it says. ILLEGAL!!
Try contributing something useful if you can.
Not that I approve of illegal aliens, nor this bank and its sleazy marketing gimmick, but it is true that we Americans can open bank accounts in just about any country that allows it.
Heck, I've had bank accounts in Singapore and Vietnam, of all places.
And there are 100 percent legitimate international banks (e.g., Citibank, HSBC) that will let Americans open accounts in more than 100 countries. You (we, I) can even open a Channel Islands account online, over the Internet (subject to providing followup ID, bank refs, address confirmation, etc).
The illegal alien issue is separate from the notion of banking practices, although there clearly is something wrong with a bank accepting these bogus Matricula IDs.
1) Americans currently don't have to prove US citizenship to open a bank account, and could not, given that we don't have (nor do we want) a national ID card. Birth certificates - the only "proof" of native US citizenship (except US Consular documents) - are not acceptable ID because they are easily forged.
2) As I mentioned, anyone can open an offshore account with Citibank or HSBC or many other banks regardless of their visa status anywhere in the world. E.g., you can open an account from Costa Rica whether your Costa Rican visa is current or not. All you need is proof of your residence address, and again that is a separate issue from your visa status.
So in the end the only solution here - barring wholesale changes to the US and international banking systems - is a ruling from the Treasury Dept. or DoJ that Matricula IDs are not to be accepted for identification in the United States.
AS IS THEIR RIGHT!!! ARE YOU A COMMUNIST WHO BELIEVES PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO WITH THEIR MONEY AS THEY PLEASE?
Funny, when did Free Republic become "Stalinist Republic?"
For all I care, you can take your money and use it to fire off the mesquite in your BBQ. Comprende?
I agree that we should put pressure on said bank to alter its policies (it has worked for the Gays!). Nevertheless, we should also go after our neighbors who hire the illegals.
The Matriculas are as worthless as the paper they are printed on. I would like to see them not accepted as ID but the government is caving in to pressure from Hispanic activist groups.
When I opened my last account with a bank, I had to have proof of residency etc. I had to show my drivers license and Social Security card. I also always carry a certified copy of my DD-214 with me. That carries a lot of weight.
I agree - and we can do so. The laws are already on the books. Why isn't our government enforcing the laws and the Constitution of the United States?
They have an 800 telephone number. 1-800-972-3030. They also have a "contact us" link on their site. Just click on your link and then click contact us. That will put you in contact with the Fifth Third (world) Bank.
That's correct. And as long as "we Americans" don't jump the border of said country via the undercarriage of a motor vehicle, cross the border with a fraudulent visa/ID, or continue to stay in that country with an expired visa, we will likely continue on with that priviledge. I have nothing against foreigners investing their money in our banks. I am against foreigners being here ILLEGALLY and against anyone or anything tolerating their presence here. Period.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.