Judge he grants in demand for discrimination against DACA beneficiaries

A federal judge granted the final approval of a collective claim agreement between First Tech Credit Union and the beneficiaries of the deferred action for children in childhood (DACA) and other immigrants who were denied the total consideration for credit due to their immigration status.

Obama introduced the DACA program in 2012, alleging the inaction of Congress on legislation aimed at offering a way to legal status to those brought to the country when they were children. There were legal battles, including two reviews of the Supreme Court.

Despite this, over the years, this program has suffered different challenges and one of them were the policies of financial institutions that allegedly discriminate against DACA beneficiaries and other immigrants.

Therefore, the Maldef Organization (Mexico-American Educational Fund and Legal Defense) represented the beneficiaries of DACA and other immigrants who formed the group of the agreement reached with financial institutions after being demanded for denying services to the beneficiaries of DACA and other immigrants depending on its immigration status.

As reported, Since 2017, Maldef has submitted 19 demands that challenge the policies of financial institutions that allegedly discriminate against DACA beneficiaries and other immigrants.

“Regardless of biased rhetoric emanating from the new administration, the law protects immigrants from discrimination,” said Thomas A. Saenz, president and general advisor of Maldef. “When a credit cooperative like First Tech acknowledges that immigrants must access critical financial products, our economy and society improve.”

As part of the agreement, First Tech created a compensation fund of $ 81,500 to compensate for the kind of immigrants affected by the questioned practice. The agreement, which received preliminary approval in October, also includes a change in the First Tech policy.

“Daca’s beneficiaries throughout the country play an important role in the progress of our nation,” said Eduardo Casas, a maldef lawyer.

Maldef filed the lawsuit in 2023 on behalf of Ismael Rodríguez Pérez, Daca beneficiary. Pérez was initially approved a credit line with mortgage guarantee (Heloc), but then he learned that the loan was denied because he was not permanent resident.

The lawyers argued that the First Tech policy violated section 1981 of the Federal Civil Rights Law of 1866 and the UNRUH Civil Rights Law of California, which prohibit discrimination in certain matters of consumption. The lawsuit was filed at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

“The final approval of the agreement has brought me a sense of justice,” said Pérez. “Knowing that those who were also affected are receiving part of this agreement give me the hope that they recognize that someone is defending them. I am incredibly grateful for all the support I received from Maldef to do this possible. He is inspiring and empowering to know that there are still people dedicated to helping our cause as immigrants. I will continue to fight against injustice and, with people like them by my side, I feel strength to continue fighting. ”

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