Opportunity I-Loan Program Sends the Wrong Message

Reis: New Program to Benefit Illegal Immigrants

May 22, 2006

Olney.….A new program designed to aid illegal immigrants in securing mortgages has drawn fire recently from Illinois legislators. State Rep. David Reis (R - Ste. Marie) said recently that Governor Blagojevich has once again skirted the legislative process in order to provide "hand outs" to undocumented illegal workers. Dating back to August of this year, a new $15 million, Opportunity I-Loan program was created within the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to provide mortgages to low income individuals and families unable to secure conventional credit. The new program will offer 30-year fixed mortgages for at least 0.5% below market interest rates.

"Helping low-income families secure housing is something that I can support. However, the main targets of this new I-Loan program are not those who are here legally but rather those who have chosen to enter and live in the country illegally," Reis said. "The governor has chosen to reward criminal behavior with low-interest rate mortgages. This is not something I, or any of my colleagues could ever support. That is why the governor has chosen to implement this program through Executive Order. Millions of Illinois taxpayer dollars are going to be used to help illegal immigrants buy homes."

Typically, to qualify for a loan, an applicant must provide their Social Security number on a mortgage application.   Under the Opportunity I-Loan program, applicants will be able to qualify by using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).   ITIN numbers are given to individuals not eligible for a Social Security Number to ensure that these individuals are able to pay taxes on income earned in the United States.   Individuals receiving an ITIN number include those in the country legally, such as a visiting professor, and also those that may be in the country illegally.

"These types of programs definitely send the wrong message to a broad cross-section of individuals. The governor is basically telling illegal immigrants that there is no need for them to follow the legal naturalization process, because the State will provide you with the services you need, no questions asked," said Reis. "What message is being sent to those who have entered this country and followed our rules for becoming a citizen? What message are we sending to Illinois taxpayers when we use precious resources to reward illegal activity?" asked Reis.

"These are serious concerns that I share with my colleagues and with legal American citizens in my district and in the State of Illinois" Reis said.