Bank of America defends policy

Critics blast credit card offers, saying they're endorsement of illegal immigration

NEW YORK -- Bank of America Corp. is defending its decision to offer credit cards to people who don't have US Social Security numbers amid criticism the program effectively endorses illegal immigration.

The pilot program, revealed last week, focuses on Hispanics in the Los Angeles area.

It has spurred opposition in Congress and from grass-roots groups who say many illegal immigrants could benefit, and that the program might foster identity theft, money laundering, and terrorism.

Bank of America chief executive Kenneth Lewis defended the program yesterday in The Wall Street Journal. This came after some groups called for a boycott of the number two US bank by assets. They say their efforts are bearing fruit.

William Gheen, director of the National Illegal Immigration Boycott Coalition, said his group has collected hundreds of e-mails vowing to cancel accounts and move mortgages.

The group said it has more than 11,000 signatures on its petition calling for a boycott of Bank of America.

"What Bank of America is doing is illegal, or should be," Gheen said.

For its part, Bank of America has not seen "any unusual business activity" resulting from responses to the pilot program, spokeswoman Alexandra Trower said.

"Some (customers) are very supportive, while others are not supportive," she said. "That is why we undertake pilots."

The Pew Hispanic Center estimated there were 11.5 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States a year ago.