DEBIT DEBATE

Oakland, Calif. Offers Debit ID Cards to Undocumented Immigrants

The landmark program has raised concerns it exposes cardholders to fraud

Feb 27, 2013 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Image: KQED

The city of Oakland, Calif. has started a program to issue photo identification that doubles as debit cards to any residents who apply, including undocumented immigrants.

City officials say the cards will help people who need a form of ID and give poor populations access to essential banking services.

Since many undocumented immigrants do not have access to banking, they are forced to carry cash, making them susceptible to crime. They must rely on check cashing services, which can charge high fees, advocates say. Residents using the debit cards would pay fees for withdrawing and depositing money, NPR reports.

But the cards have raised concerns. Mark Krikorian, who directs the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank favoring strict immigration policies told NPR that the cards amount to amnesty for undocumented immigrants.

Some privacy advocates fear that putting personal information on a debit card opens the cardholder up to fraud and theft. A lost or stolen card would give thieves information they need to access money in the account, Huffington Post reports.

The city is working with SF Global, a Venice, Calif.-based company, along with MasterCard and the Minnesota-based University National Bank to run the program.

Via NPR and Huffington Post

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Feb '13

4PeteSake

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I think it is a great idea. But when most of the troglodytes who post on Politix see the debit card thing....they will go bananas!
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Feb '13

Knightkore

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Since many undocumented immigrants do not have access to banking, they are forced to carry cash, making them susceptible to crime.

{Seriously? The illegal.....no undocumented.....illegal immigrants are usually the ones doing the crime and are in fact already criminals for breaking the immigration laws.....}

Fraud on so many levels.....
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Feb '13

hankf68

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so good to be American (or USA that is), wonder what it'd be like to live in an impoverished country while those in your backyard live so richly, mostly because they steal and rape your country, all in greed, then expect those who want a better life to lay down like dogs and except their fates, we'll I don't blame any poor for trying to get a better life, how lucky so many of us are, but jealously, greed, self interest and lack of compassion for those who suffer or are less fortunate blind us and too many try and demonize others who they deem inferior, economically or racially...sometimes I feel it's such a sad world with no hope..
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Post @hankf68
Feb '13

PoliticalSpice

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@hankf68 Agree witj everything you said, except you shouldn't be using the word sad, without at least acknowledging it is trademarked by Neo.
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Post @PoliticalSpice
Feb '13

hankf68

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@PoliticalSpice :D
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Feb '13

Sonny

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In this political climate....Why on earth would anyone consent to be placed on some "undocumented immigrants" list...Which is the other non-disclosed by-product of what this law will do? Bad idea...And I doubt that they will get many takers.
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Feb '13

marine1

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I think under RICO our goverment is facilitating a crime and could be charged.
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Feb '13

Sonny

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@marine1 Well, if we didn't do that under the Nixon, and Geo. Bush administrations...then I don't see that as viable.
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Post @Sonny
Feb '13

marine1

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@Sonny Doesn't matter who did it the fact remains the same, and should also apply to drivers licenses. Pointing fingers is always easy but i find it rarely changes the facts
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Post @marine1
Feb '13

wonka45ACP

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as far as the undocumented, relying on check cashing services don't you think it's
good to stimulate our economy, before they send it back to theirs?
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Feb '13

ReneldaM20

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Money is still going to be sent back to Mexico via Western Union which takes cash or w/ money orders, cash only.
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Post @ReneldaM20
Feb '13

ST_Louie_Sue

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Where does the money in these accounts come from? "Since many undocumented immigrants do not have access to banking, they are forced to carry cash, making them susceptible to crime." Well I have to have a checking account and money in my account in order to use my debit card. This makes no sense at all. And then the "City of Oakland" will charge them a fee? So now the City will be the middleman not the "bad" check cashing businesses? OK. At least they will be able to track their coming and goings better.
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Feb '13

BossTweed

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In Calif, Illegals are courted by the Banks to set up accounts. Remember, Californians don't measure up to other Americans. Calif citizens Embrace the Disgrace as all their pitiful families deserve.
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Post @BossTweed
Feb '13

ST_Louie_Sue

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@BossTweed But how then can they say "Since many undocumented immigrants do not have access to banking, they are forced to carry cash, making them susceptible to crime." ??? Either they are or they're not. Only in California.
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Post @ST_Louie_Sue
Feb '13

jessejaymes

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@BossTweed You are both correct and incorrect. Bank of America courts Illegals. Most others that I know of do not.
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Post @jessejaymes
Feb '13

Medicinebow

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@jessejaymes I can't stand BOA..and I let them know that this week.
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Post @Medicinebow
Feb '13

jessejaymes

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@Medicinebow If you can believe this, in 1997 I had my identity stolen. My fault, total negligance on my part but while I unraveled that mess (and it is a nightmare) I tried dealing with other banks and Bank of America was biggest dickhead of a bunch of dickhead. They will work with illegals but they won't work with identity theft.
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Feb '13

AntiPorcheria

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Shouldn't the name on the card be Juanita Perez?
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Feb '13

ST_Louie_Sue

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Watch it. The PC police will be calling you a racist.
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Post @ST_Louie_Sue
Feb '13

AntiPorcheria

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@ST_Louie_Sue - http://www.youtube.com/watch...
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Post @AntiPorcheria
Feb '13

Waynestew

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I see no problem with the city offering an identification card even to undocumented immigrants. The ID card would not give them amnesty or any type of citizenship. The problem I do have is the fact that you will have a debit card attached to an ID that is crazy.
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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If you've ever been to Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan you know the Mexicans handle their beach territory. The keep it clean, they keep it upscale and they keep the locals (beyond service workers) well out of sight. It is obvious that the Mexicans are will rule California lock stock and barrel within the next decade. When you consider the filth the trash, the gangs, the absolute unwillingness to assimilate of the Mexicans in Los Angeles we know that this is going to end up just like Mexico. So maybe we can get back the beaches from the gangs then?
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Feb '13

Bobolinsky

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In other news from Oakland, CA...

Oakland Neighbors Policing Their Own Streets As They Lose Faith In Cops
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/02/26/a...
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Feb '13

justapirate

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More PC crap.Things are just gonna get ugly before this is over.
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Feb '13

ReneldaM20

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It sounds like agod idea on its face. But, after reading some ofthe posts, I am wondering about the bank affiliation, too.
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Feb '13

jaybebo84

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"Since many undocumented immigrants do not have access to banking, they are forced to carry cash, making them susceptible to crime. They must rely on check cashing services, which can charge high fees, advocates say."

So, criminals are suspectible to other criminals...I hope this is not their platform in justifying this action...because it is ridiculous...and the high fees they get charged, hhhmmm, well they should have stayed at their real home...no pity on this issue...
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Feb '13

culinary

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Sssooooo....why don't they just call them citizens? They can marry a pitiful american citizen and get welfare and foodstamps, they let a bunch out of jail, and now we're going to give them id and a bank account? They apparently are getting along better than me.
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Feb '13

MolonLabe

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They're ILLEGAL ALIENS you Liberal morons.
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Feb '13

bsking

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Of course it's a good idea. and it kills 2 birds with the same stone... it makes it easier for them to get their welfare handouts.. and it will make it easier for them to vote in the next election. I wonder how to tax payers in California feel about this program seeing that there in bankruptcy already
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Feb '13

Wisdom73

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Since the term "illegal" doesn't carry much weight anymore, I guess I don't need to follow the law anymore either...right?
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Feb '13

NTBFW

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You are right. If you want to get in trouble call yourself a law abiding citizen.
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Feb '13

vws

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Since we have a government tha only enforces the laws they like and ignores any wrong doing by people they like, I decided that if I were on a jury that no one can break a Federal law!
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Post @vws
Feb '13

MadAmerican

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Only in California are illegals rewarded for breaking the law with so many lavish forgiving bills. Glad i don't live there. No wonder they are broke!
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Feb '13

RoFroh

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Bowing down to criminals... That's a good idea!!!
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Feb '13

Clarke12

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find out which bank is sponsoring this program and take all of your assets out of it.
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Feb '13

seedtick

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Typical Oakland bullshit. They are out there in the twilight zone as always.
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