Editor's note: This letter was written in response to the CU Times article "Trump, Immigration and Credit Unions," published on Feb. 22, 2017.

In recent months, the viability of lending to immigrants has been called into question across the financial services industry. In response, credit union movement leaders, such as the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, have responded to this concern, sharing insight, data and trends that dispel this perceived risk and highlight the opportunities that exist in helping non-citizens thrive economically. As a credit union steeped in helping our immigrant members since 2004 when Point West Credit Union in Portland, Ore., merged in Hacienda Credit Union, we can tell you – those credit union leaders are absolutely right.

First, here's the data: As of Dec. 31, 2016, Point West's non-citizen portfolio stood at $8.8 million, with a 0% delinquency ratio (yes, really – ZERO) and a 0.4% point one-year charge-off ratio. Compare this to our total loan portfolio of $80.5 million, which posted 25 basis points of delinquency and 35 basis points for charge-offs – nearly indiscernible from a risk perspective. Not only have we provided much-needed capital for marginalized community members to thrive, but they in turn have been proven to be fiscally responsible and engaged members of our cooperative. And for those who say "the majority of your quoted numbers pre-date Inauguration Day," well, so too did immigration enforcement.