Illegal workers, primarily from Mexico, are often robbed in South Texas as they are paid in cash and reluctant to contact US authorities. Austin police and Wells Fargo Bank hope new bank accounts for illegal immigrants will stem some of this abuse. With an ID provided by the Mexican consulate, workers can open interest free accounts to protect their earnings from robbers. The INS does not plan to use the accounts to track illegal aliens.
See "Bank Offers Accounts to Illegal Workers Targeted by Thieves", Guillermo X. Garcia, USA Today, May 1, 2001