The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice recently issued a joint statement reminding financial institutions about the potential for civil rights implications when considering an applicant’s immigration status.

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, creditors may consider an individual’s immigration status when necessary to ascertain the creditor’s rights and remedies concerning repayment. However, creditors and financial institutions should not allow for unnecessary or overbroad reliance on immigrations status in determining the credit worthiness of an individual.

Find further details concerning the joint statement.