U.S. Treasury to Seize Remittances Sent Abroad by Illegal Migrants — Transfers Over $2,000 Will Be Flagged as Suspicious

The Treasury Department is planning to escalate its crackdown on illegal immigration by seizing their remittances.

In a statement on Friday, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FCEN) said that it would flag all transactions greater than $2,000 as suspicious.

They wrote in a press release:

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing an Alert as part of Treasury’s effort to prevent the exploitation of the U.S. financial system by illegal aliens in the United States seeking to move illicitly obtained funds.

Annually over the past several years, the United States has witnessed a significant volume of cross-border funds transfers, including remittances from individuals located in the United States, and has taken multiple steps this year to highlight risks presented by cross-border financial activity.

This Alert is consistent with Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

Money services businesses (MSBs) are generally required to file a suspicious activity report for a transaction that involves at least $2,000 and that the MSBs know, suspect, or have reason to suspect is relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation.

This includes the cross-border transfer of funds derived from unlawful employment or otherwise derived from funds the MSB knows, suspects, or has reason to suspect were illicitly obtained in the United States.

“Money services businesses should be vigilant in identifying suspicious financial activity involving illegal aliens who present significant threats to national security and public safety,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.

“At Treasury, we will continue to protect the American people by faithfully upholding the laws of the United States.”

The announcement comes as the Trump administration seeks to step up its efforts in deporting those residing in the U.S illegally, days after an Afghan national shot and killed two national guardsmen in Washington D.C.

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