I would be surprised to find that non citizens were eligible for what amounts to preferential treatment over US citizens. Seems like a very dangerours political move to me, especially in a troubled economic climate.

I have heard these rumors as well and I think they might have some merit. As a former commercial lender - we never offered any such program but I was never approached about them either. I have done some research on this and did not really find much information - but, I did not do a through search. I would contact your embassy here - to see what they know or go directly to other immigrant here in the US as ask them how they got started - better to here it directly.

I am a Canadian citizen, and have lived here for 20+ years.  I have heard of this 'rumor' back in the early nineties, with other nationalities.  It seems that the 'rumor' shifts to whichever nationality is the current wave of immigration.  Your statement 'those moving from India and buying convenience stores and hotels' makes you wonder if the immigrants from the same geographical area get the same fringe benefits for becoming engineers and computer programmers?  I think that when a wave of immigration from a new corner of the world arrives, there is a fear of the unknown by both the host and new comer, and that is when these rumors and stereotypes spread like wild fire.  Needless to say, I have never been offered ANY services tax or interest free, or at a reduced rate.  One other note, I have never been referred to as an immigrant or minority either, I 'blend with the natives' fairly well!

I have heard these rumors as well and I think they might have some merit. As a former commercial lender - we never offered any such program but I was never approached about them either. I have done some research on this and did not really find much information - but, I did not do a through search. I would contact your embassy here - to see what they know or go directly to other immigrant here in the US as ask them how they got started - better to here it directly.

I am a Canadian citizen, and have lived here for 20+ years.  I have heard of this 'rumor' back in the early nineties, with other nationalities.  It seems that the 'rumor' shifts to whichever nationality is the current wave of immigration.  Your statement 'those moving from India and buying convenience stores and hotels' makes you wonder if the immigrants from the same geographical area get the same fringe benefits for becoming engineers and computer programmers?  I think that when a wave of immigration from a new corner of the world arrives, there is a fear of the unknown by both the host and new comer, and that is when these rumors and stereotypes spread like wild fire.  Needless to say, I have never been offered ANY services tax or interest free, or at a reduced rate.  One other note, I have never been referred to as an immigrant or minority either, I 'blend with the natives' fairly well!