Judges Order Approvals of Credit Union-DACA Class Action Lawsuit Settlements

Peter Strozniak, Credit Union News, Apr. 17, 2024

"Federal judges approved the settlements of class action lawsuits against two credit unions for allegedly violating state and federal discrimination laws when they denied loans to Dreamers – persons brought to the U.S. as minors who are not lawful permanent citizens.  A California judge ordered the preliminary approval of a class action lawsuit last week involving the $18.4 billion Alliant Credit Union for allegedly violating state and federal discrimination laws in 2021 when it denied a car loan for a member, Yuliana Camacho, because of her immigration status as a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  What's more, in a separate DACA class action lawsuit initiated by an employee of the $1 billion Valley First Credit Union in Modesto, Calif., a federal judge in Fresno ordered the final approval of a settlement last month, according to court filings. Both credit unions, which disputed the lawsuits' allegations and denied any wrongdoing, decided to negotiate settlements to avoid the additional expense, inconvenience and distraction of the litigation."