First Data remittances articles and more information

It's all about the money. Rest assured that First Data's "immigration reform" panels are an attempt to market Western Union's wire transfer services to the illegal alien community.

"Remittances - a Massive Transfer of Wealth", by Fred Elbel, the Social Contract, Spring, 2012

"First Data’s Polly Baca: Conquistadora Chicana-ry", by Terry Graham [alleged victim of attack at First Data's July 22 event], November 17, 2004

"On the backs of the poor" by Seth Lubove, Forbes Magazine, November 15, 2004

First Data has tried to counter the criticism by forming a $10 million "Empowerment Fund" for immigrants and staging immigration "reform" panels around the country. But the sessions have emboldened the company's critics and sparked a melee or two. At the panel in July in Denver, a woman was arrested after pummeling an anti-immigration heckler...

"Patriot Act cuts migrants' cash flow" by Patricio G. Bolona, Datona Beach News-Journal Online, November 07, 2004

Western Union, a check-cashing store that offers money-wiring services, was fined $8 million by the New York Banking Department in December 2002 for violating federal and state banking laws. The state charged Western Union was deficient in keeping records.

"First Data Western Union helps Mexican mothers" First Data press release

The First Data Western Union Foundation (FDWU) announced last week a new program to provide educational and financial assistance to Mexican mothers living alone in the state of Oaxaca.... FDWU will send $250,000 to Fundacion AYU, a Mexican nonprofit organization, to provide assistance to women living alone because their husbands are working in the United States....

"Attend First Data’s Meetings–Put Shoe On Other Fote!", by Joe Guzzardi, August 4, 2004, published on VDARE.com.

"Western DisUnion: CEO Charlie Fote Betrays America", by Joe Guzzardi, July 28, 2004, published on VDARE.com.

"First Data/Western Union and Latino Advocacy Organizations Call For Action on Immigration Reform", First Data press release, March 3, 2004.

"Sending Dollars to Latin America - Wiring money home - cheaply - Credit unions cut costs for immigrants [illegal aliens]", San Francisco Chronicle, July 24, 2001.

See this map of remittances to Latin America.

"Educator allegedly hits heckler", The Rocky Mountain News, July 24, 2004.

"Woman Arrested For Hitting Heckler At Immigration Forum - Forum Sponsored By First Data Corp.", Denver's 7 ABC News, The Associated Press, July 23, 2004.

"Heckling, fist fight mar forum on immigration", the Denver Post, July 23, 2004.

"First Data reports big profit jump", the Denver Post, June 21, 2004.

"Border skirmish - Rep. Tancredo's proposals for immigrant remittances draw First Data Corp. into public policy debate", the Denver Post, June 27, 2004.