Ally Bank Allegedly Denies Its Services To Non-U.S. Citizens, Class Action Says

Ally Bank unlawfully refuses access to bank accounts to non-residents of the United States, even though they are allowed to work lawfully in the U.S., a new class action lawsuit says.

Plaintiff Denied to Open an Account Despite Having SSN

Mariela Aguilar Velazquez filed the class action lawsuit against Ally Bank in a federal court in California on December 20, alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act and California Civil Code.

Velazquez is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.

DACA is a policy that provides immigrants brought to the United States as minors with a two-year period of deferred action — renewable — from deportation and eligibility for a work permit in the United States.

Since 2012, Velazquez has been authorized to work in the United States and has been issued a Social Security Number. However, she claims that she was unlawfully denied when she attempted to open a checking and savings account with Ally Bank in November 2020.

According to the Ally Bank Non-US Citizens Accounts Class Action Lawsuit, the plaintiff received a phone call from an Ally Bank representative telling her that she is ineligible to open a checking or savings account with Ally Bank due to her lack of citizenship or legal permanent residency in the United States. 

Additionally, the plaintiff inquired as to whether this refusal was allowed under the law; the employee responded that Ally Bank’s policy is to deny anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Mariela Aguilar Velazquez v. Ally Bank

Velazquez asserts that she was subjected to unlawful alienage discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act as well as the Unruh Civil Rights Act, both of which are codified in the California Civil Code. Additionally, she stated that no other bank has denied opening an account for her due to her immigration status.

According to the Ally Bank Non-US Citizens Accounts Class Action Lawsuit, plaintiff Velazquez sustained harm as a result of Ally Bank’s denial of the checking and savings account application due to her being a non-US citizen. She suffered emotional distress as a result of Ally Bank’s denial of her application.

She is seeking to represent anyone who has been denied a bank account in the U.S. from Ally Bank due to their alien status, as well as a California class. She also seeks class certification, an injunction, damages, attorney’s fees, and costs, as well as a jury trial.

Editor’s Note on Ally Bank Non-US Citizens Accounts Class Action Lawsuit:

This article is written to inform you of the case against Ally Bank for allegedly denying non-U.S. citizens access to their service, supposed alienage discrimination. We also suggest you read the Ally Bank’s Financial Repossession Settlement For $787.5 Million. 

Case Name & No.: Mariela A. Velazquez v. Ally Bank, Case No. 2:21-at-01225

Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court Eastern District of California Sacramento Division

Allegations: Ally Bank allegedly denies non-U.S. citizens access to their services

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