How to Close an Immigration Loophole

Yesterday, I signed on to co-sponsor H.R. 1314, the Photo Identification Security Act, authored by Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). This legislation would stipulate the specific forms of identification needed to attain a credit card or bank account. Some financial institutions have been issuing credit cards and open accounts for people who don’t have Social Security numbers — most of whom are thought to be illegal immigrants. The federal government cannot claim to be serious about addressing illegal immigration while at the same time; allowing loopholes to exist that encourage illegal immigration activity. Financial institutions have been taking advantage of a loophole in federal law that has allowed them to profiteer off of illegal immigration.

The Photo Identification Security Act will close that loophole so that the integrity of our banking process will remain in tact. Those forms of documentation listed in the bill are a Social Security card with a government-issued form of identification such as a state driver’s license, or a U.S. or foreign passport, or a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services photo identification card. Matricula Consular cards, a form of identification issued by the Mexican government, would not be accepted for starting accounts or credit cards, since the Marticula Consular cards are not a secure form of identification.