Bill Bars Undocumented Immigrants from Selling Real Estate, Mortgages
Feb 20, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler
(KCPW News) In an effort to crack down on mortgage fraud, Orem Senator Margaret Dayton wants the Division of Real Estate to verify the immigration status of each person requesting a real estate or mortgage license or renewal. Orem real estate agent and licensed loan officer Arturo Morales says illegal immigrants with these state licenses have already proven themselves to be dishonest, because they lied about their identities on official documents.
"The minimum thing that we can do, and the most important thing that we can do, is make sure that illegal immigrants, who have already lied to obtain a license, do not get license or do not get renewed, " Morales says. "That should help in reducing mortgage fraud and the problems we have in the real estate industry."
Morales says the Division of Real Estate conducts background searches on license applicants, but does not verify social security numbers. As a result, Morales says he personally knows of several illegal immigrants who have Utah real estate and lending licenses. This concerned some of the members of the Senate Business and Labor Committee, but questions remain about the accuracy of current verification systems. Salt Lake County Senator Carlene Walker says she's been duped by forged documents before. She says the federal electronic verification system doesn't work.
"They can go in and buy false documentation for $25 bucks. And it's darn good, unless you're a professional, unless you have a way of knowing they are false," Walker says. "So, how do you know? How can you tell? Unless you get a decent verification system from the federal government, I don't know who you hold responsible and how you do that."
Morales argues entrepreneurs in the private sector are eager to solve these identity-verification issues. As the bill is written now, Dayton says it does not require the Division of Real Estate to use the maligned e-verification system - clearing the way for a possible private-public partnership. SB 222 secured unanimous committee support Tuesday and heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. LiLy Pierre-Byng said:
My social security card was stolen. Now I am told that it can affect me when I go to retire. If someone uses it, it can prevent me from getting my retirement. Since I have used my life savings for medical expenses and have no family, this is very frightening. I could actually die in the streets. How can a 65 to 90 year old with serious health problems work? What happens to them with no money and no family?Illegals are coming in and using everything that we paid into the system for. Also some legals are bringing in their families who have babies here that we pay for.Making it illegal for real estate to be bought and sold by illegals is one way to help fight this very large and ongoing problem.
3. Joshua said:
It is written :
" You are to have the same Law for the alien and for the native-born.I am the Lord you God.'" Leviticus 24:22
2. julie said:
I agree that no illegal immigrant should be selling Real Estate but with regards to buying, i'm all for it.If at least 3.000.000 of illegals went out to buy a home today this whole Real Estate crises would be over in a month.They may not save America but they can remove the rope from our necks and put it on their own.