Store Owner Demands Spanish-Speaking Customers Show Social Security Cards

[Tomisimo]

After overhearing two customers speaking Spanish, store owner David Richardson asked them to produce Social Security cards and prove they are US citizens, even threatening to make a citizen's arrest and call Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. And it's not the first time he's done it.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/IM...v33.f1bec.html

[Jane]

Call it racism, anti-immigration, hate crime or anything you chose but I think it´s very wrong to be treated that way by a fellow human being just because you speak a different language, have got a different skin colour or you decided to make your living in a place different from your birth or native place.
I´ve learnt a very valuable lesson in life (it works well for me so I apply it to life as an immigrant),I always hold My head high, I know who I am, why I live where I do and I dont allow anyone to tell me otherwise(bring me down) just because they´re not sure if I´m legal or not.
I´ve had some not very pleasant experiences, however I´m truly blessed with great and wonderful friends, so I enjoy my blessings and not dwell on the unpleasant experiences.
It´s not what happens to us that matters, what´s truly important is our responses towards them. The law can´t possibly handle everyone of this kind of complaint but your Attitude goes a long way!
I´d say I love Genao´s respone... he is a citizen of the US by choice, whereas Richardson was just born there. All he should have said was, "Thank you for shopping with me".

[poli]

Mr.Richardson must be a very stupid man. What kind of a businessman
would insult customers by demanding to see their social security card?
Additionally there are hppa laws in place created to prevent identity theft. These laws forbid asking for social security numbers except under certain conditons which do not include the whims of a snoopy shop owner. Mr. Richardson is a lawbreaker, a possible identity thief, and beyond a doubt, a fool--and a very poor businessman to boot.

Poli

PS Since when are social security cards proof of citizenship? The more I think about this,the dumber it seems.

[sosia]

I never thought a store owner would lose 18$ asking for the Social cards. If it where guns or toxics, OK, but for a spare part????

Richardson, a Reform party member and former Senate candidate, said he was acting on civic duty. Genao accused Richardson of racial stereotyping, “all because we were speaking Spanish.”

good luck in the elections, Mr Richardson

[Elaina]

Es una lastima que aun haya personas como Richardson. Este pais fué fundado por inmigrantes. Incluyendo los antepasados de Richardson porque por la foto de él, él no parece ser un Indio Nativo Americano.

Cuando empezó todo este odio contra los inmigrantes? Despues de 9/11? Creo que existía antes pero no a tal grado. Creo que también las manifestaciones hechas por los inmigrantes en estos últimos 2 años también no han ayudado mucho. Muchas personas creo se siente amenazadas por la presencia de tanta gente que no es blanca. Es una lástima en verdad.

But, we can all do a little bit to make things better. Attitude is everything. I agree. If we all do our own little thing to make things better it can turn this world around, if only country by country.

Elaina