Lenders extend piece of American dream to undocumented immigrants
Should undocumented immigrants be able to secure mortgages to buy a home? Some lenders are saying “Yes.”
Consider this story out of New Mexico. For Erika Balderas Gutierrez, owning a home seemed like an impossible dream. She is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. When she found out that her immigration status wouldn’t prohibit her from obtaining a 30-year mortgage, she began saving money. After a year, she had squirreled away about $16,000 for a down payment. Then she worked with Homewise, a Santa Fe nonprofit, and was able to purchase a house last year. “Every immigrant has the right to get ahead in life,” said Gutierrez, 33. “And if we dedicate ourselves to our goals, we can achieve them.”
KJ