The Trump administration is moving fast with an executive order that will force banks to collect and verify citizenship documents like passports from every customer, new and old. No more easy access for non-citizens gaming the system.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the order is already in the works. Banks have done basic checks for years, but now they’ll have to confirm who’s actually American before handing out accounts, loans, or services. This is straight common-sense enforcement to cut off illegals from the financial system that funds everything from remittances back home to who knows what else.
Critics in the banking crowd are whining about “compliance burdens” and “economic ripple effects,” but that’s just code for protecting their business as usual with millions of questionable customers. Supporters rightly call it overdue: Why should American taxpayers subsidize a banking system that doesn’t even bother asking if you’re here legally?
This move backs up Trump’s border crackdown with real teeth. No citizenship, no account. Simple as that. America first means securing every gate, including the financial one.
