Seattle Organization Seeks Local Partners in Repairing Problems with Money Transferors

Seeking alliances who can help fix the problems facing local money transferors, two officers from Hate Free Zone, a Seattle-based civil rights organization held talks this week with state elected officials and immigrant organizations.

On Sept. 14, bank accounts belonging to more than dozen money transferors were closed by Minnesota-based national banks, citing tough regulations. Though money wiring services, almost entirely used by immigrants, didn’t halt completely, its jolt was evident in the community.

But within that week, Hate Free Zone helped Washington state banks and money transferors reach a deal that would allow the latter to use state banks in lieu of national banks to conduct business. Most of Minnesota-based money transferors have branches operating in Washington.

“We would like to build alliances with Minnesota organizations in curbing the erosion of civil rights,