As the president and Congress continue to hash out immigrationreform, the $25.5 million Manatee Community Federal Credit Union in Bradenton, Fla., isalready working on ways members of its community can afford tobecome citizens.

Manatee has teamed with the Jaensch Immigration Law firm inSarasota, Fla., to allow immigrants to begin preparing for thecosts of reform such as penalties and naturalization fees.

“Manatee was chartered to serve the low wage earningagricultural employees of the Tropicana Company,” said SherodHalliburton, executive vice president for strategic initiatives atManatee FCU.

“As a result of the credit union's long history of successfullymeeting the needs of agricultural workers and of underservedLatinos who make their living in the agricultural industry it's anatural fit. We stand behind the residents of this community,”Halliburton said.

A February 2013 report from the Pew Hispanic Center said theremay be as many as 11 million immigrants in the countryillegally. The report also suggests that 20% of the 8.5million now eligible for citizenship have not sought it because ofthe high cost.

The Senate is now considering a bill that imposes penalties ofup to $2,000 per person over 12 years plus applicationfees. In addition, immigrants may have to pay back taxes,lawyer fees and other costs to gain a lawful status in theU.S.

“The members of our community are striving to make a better lifefor themselves,” Halliburton said. “And we want to help them anyway that we can.”

Halliburton said that with proper identification – which caninclude the Matrícula Consular – the program enables an immigrant or familymember to establish credit or improve a credit score to be eligiblefor future loans.

Eligible immigrants will be able to open a credit union accountand receive a secured loan for $1,000, with the loan proceedsremaining on deposit as the loan recipient pays back the loan andinterest.

A payment history is established,and the loan proceeds may be used for immigration-related expenseswhen paid off.

“The price will be well worth it, since they will be able tolive, work and study in the U.S., travel internationally, and getdriver's licenses,” said P. Christopher Jaensch of JaenschImmigration Law Firm. “But, it will be a costly process overa 10- to 12-year period. A credit union may be the best partnerthey have to help them achieve this critical financial goal.”