Life as a 'walking ATM'; a Mexican recounts being a victim of violent crime, three times overBy Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Lying face up on a patch of grass near Ashley Phosphate Road, Marcelino Eugenio Garcia thought he was dying. One bullet had pierced his stomach, another his left leg. Who would put his three children in Mexico through school? Who would support his elderly parents? Garcia's body throbbed with pain as he watched his attacker get in a car and drive away two years ago. He fumbled for his cell phone to call 911. He gave up waiting for a Spanish-speaker to come on the line and dialed a friend instead. The waiting felt eternal. A woman walked from a nearby apartment and asked if he needed help. She came back with a towel and put it under his head. He took off his cap, then placed his keys, wallet and cell phone inside. If he survived, maybe he would get them back. He had a private conversation with God. "By then I was in bad shape," Garcia said recently while revisiting the spot. "I asked God to forgive me." Garcia is more fortunate than some of his compatriots. He lived. He experienced firsthand a trend of violent crimes against Hispanic immigrants in the Lowcountry and the rest of the nation. The new arrivals, particularly laborers like Garcia who arrived here illegally, are much more likely to be robbed than members of the general population. Last year, three Mexican men were shot dead during three separate robberies in North Charleston and adjacent areas. Read Sunday's Post and Courier for the rest of the story. |
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Comments
This article has 20 comment(s)
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 17, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If this is supposed to drum up sympathy for these criminals who are poluting our shores and committing crimes just by being here, it ain't workin'. They deserve whatever they get. If they don't like it, then it's time to leave.
Calling an illegal immigrant and undocumented worker is like calling a crack dealer an undocumented pharmacist.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 17, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah thats exactly what I said in another post.(undocumented pharmacist)Would the P&C be doing stories on the dangers of drug dealing?After all,some of those people are working long hours to feed their families.Illegal is illegal.You could justify robbing a bank in the same way.You're just trying to better/feed your family right?Well do it like the rest of us.Work hard,follow the law and strive for better.I don't mean to sound heartless,I really don't.But so many people I see that are "victims" of these sort of crimes put themselves in a position to victimized.It's almost funny how they want pity for border hopping here.In Mexico they have been known to SHOOT people jumping over their border!Here they biotch if they don't get enough food stamps.
Posted by gococks1985 on May 17, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am amazed by the LACK of compassion that some of the posters have here. I try to state my opinion and keep to the story. Regardless if this person was here illegally or not, he is still a human and deserves the right to be treated as such. How would you all feel if one of your family members were treated this way on foreign land?
I may not agree with the way they arrived, but I do know that they work hard and do the jobs that other people of color (white/black/purple or green) won't do because of our laxadazial (sp?) nature. I do think they should make every effort to become legal citizens and contribute to the reason why they came here to begin with.
NOBODY deserves to be treated like this, no matter their race, religion or political views.
Posted by forget on May 17, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
whatever
Posted by moephishwater on May 17, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I honestly believe if these "illegal" immigrants were given a change to become "legal" most would do so. How can you honestly claim that your family stands out because you "follow the law". Do you ever speed in your vehicle? Have you ever driven a vehicle after having a few drinks? There are probably many stupid laws that you know you have broken at some point in your life. Why did you do it? Probably because you were under pressure to get somewhere, didn't think you would get caught, or just didn't care. These people feel they have no other choice. They want to support their family who lives in conditions you've never imagined being in. Just because you may have been born an American citizen, doesn't mean that you are better than any other creature on this earth. Sure, you may be fortunate, but that does not mean that you own this place. If you or your family were born in a country where opportunity didn't exist, what would you do? You probably haven't experienced this before (and because you live in "God's" country..you probably never will). These "illegals" can be seen working hard seven days a week in my neighbhood. They do tasks I'd never dream of doing (especially not 7 days a week in a summer in South Carolina). Maybe the story didn't make YOU feel sorry for these people, but it may impact some. Even if this story only impacts two people, it served its purpose. This isn't just your country, it is shared by many people of many cultures (a " melting pot" as some call it). I welcome whoever is willing to work hard and make this country more desirable to live in regardless of skin color, race, nationality, religion, or cultural background.
Posted by forget on May 17, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
again, whatever.
Posted by forget on May 17, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a matter of fact, alot of them WOULD NOT become legal. I asked one one day. He was from Guatamala. I asked him if he wanted to be American, he said "no". He was only here for the money. If they become citizens, then they have to pay income tax, SS tax, medicare, insurance, property taxes, medical care, etc. Now as it is, we foot the bill for all of that. If we entered any of their countries illegally, we would get locked up and then booted out. Not given free medical care first, either.
Posted by gococks1985 on May 17, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...you asked one?? Manned up to the plate to speak to them did you...I'm so impressed. Why not man up and do the same jobs that they are doing?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 17, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the assumption about them ALL working hard.Thats a frickn joke.There are illegals in my neighborhood doing half ass work that has to be redone,they walk through peoples yards(as if THEY own the place),loiter,take mid day breaks to play ball(often on other peoples property),throw their Burrito wrappers,other lunch trash and cigarette butts on the ground that I end up picking up,the ones I see have NO respect.My daughter and I,(who is only 12!!!)get glared at constantly.Oh and not to mention the multiple times theyve almost ran into my vehicle with heavy equipment-because they don't drive worth a crap.You're right FORGET.Most have NO desire to "live the American Dream".Their money goes back to Mexico,as the article states.The majority are not respectful families "just trying to make it" as some have said.Thats a naive,idiotic,dreamy school of thought.
Posted by forget on May 17, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gococks - I'm not doing "their" jobs because I have an education. I'm probably YOUR boss. I have the word "President" in my job title, thank you. I have employees, every one of them legal. I have had some come in wanting to work that I didn't believe for a second that their paperwork was legit. I called the local high schools and hired students instead. They're not doing the work nobody else wants. They're doing for a few less dollars per hour, employer not matching SS and med., and the employer isn't paying workmans comp. premiums for them either. They are taking the jobs that young men would have had during summer vacation, that young non-college bound men (or women) took after graduating to learn a trade, and they are taking the jobs that people with years of experience have had. They are doing the jobs with shoddy labor for less money.
Not exactly the American dream is it?
Posted by geekguy2008 on May 17, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not apologizing for NOT having compassion for those that choose to break the law. Illegals need to leave American soil.
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 17, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need to demand that our government do its job and round up these criminals and send them to concentration camps in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Maybe if we did the right thing and instituted the death penalty for these criminals, the problem would go away. Fancy that. . .
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 17, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, I have NO sympathy for criminals like this Mexican. . .
Just like I'd have no sympathy for someone who got himself shot during an armed robbery. He is getting what he deserves for his crime.
Posted by moephishwater on May 17, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe some haven't been paying attention to local news. But "legal" people are getting robbed as well. I didn't say every single "illegal" immigrant was a hard worker. A good majority of them are. Why? Because their family is still in a poverty stricken country depending on them to do so. Also, saying that one individual wouldn't prefer to be an American CITIZEN (not an American..because he wasn't "blessed" enough to be born here), does not mean that every person who is here illegally wouldn't like the benefits of being a citizen. I think any person who is condemned to these extremes would rather just become legal and feel as invited as those who were born here who have ancestors who come from all over the entire world. People who say they have no tolerance for people who break the law should spend more time reading some of the crazy laws that exist. I can assure you that at some point in your life you have broken one law. I work hard every day of my life, and I fully support anyone that does so. I do not agree that it is OK for anyone to be robbed or shot because they are more vulnerable. It is exactly like targeting elderly with scams. Should we sit around saying they deserve what comes to them, because they aren't up to date on technology and common scams that most of us would never fall for? Certain groups of people are more susceptible to specific types of crime. Does this make it OK?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 17, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Elderly people are often targeted while in their OWN home.A far cry from hanging out on street corners and/or doing illegal activity.No one is saying children or others UNABLE to defend themselves.A child cannot choose his/her parents or where abouts.A grown man/woman can.I don't pity anyone who chooses to put themselves in precarious positions and gripe about the outcome.Would I walk down Stall rd at night with a wad of cash in my pocket?Uhhhhh NO.Let's not forget,if you are a here legally-you would have a bank account!I never said it was ok to be robbed or violated because your Mexican.I hold everyone to the same standard.Drug dealers,home invaders and other criminals.And as far as stupid laws go.....immigration laws ARE NOT STUPID!It's not like this guy broke the law by having sex in a position other than missionary position or jay walked.Gimme a break.People are forgetting that there are people who have lived here for years(legally)and are working hard to become citizens.What about them?
Posted by gococks1985 on May 17, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget- having the word "president" doesn not make you a good business person. Might I remind you of the Enron, Tyco scandals from a few years ago. I also doubt that you are my boss. I too am an educated person and work hard and earn my money the old fashioned way. I was brought up that way. I still think you have little human compassion for others, legal or not. My boss i far from that.
Posted by DontSpamMeBro on May 17, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They are not "hispanic immigrants." They are ILLEGAL ALIENS. Of course, no one deserves to be robbed or shot, but when you advertise your potential victim-hood, the crooks are going to take advantage of you.
Here's an angle the P&C hasn't covered - and never will: 95 percent of the robberies of illegal aliens in North Charleston are perpetrated by young black males. Maybe Glenn and Noah could run with that one, eh?
Posted by LowCountryCrime on May 17, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I hate to see anyone become the victim of a violent crime, or any crime for that matter, there is an easy solution for the Lowcountry's illegal aliens. Go home!!
See http://lowcountrycrime.wordpress.com/ for an interesting article about illegal immigration and identity theft.
Posted by suec on May 17, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the illegals go, who do you think the thugs will rob next? Maybe you?
Go after the VIOLENT criminals first. If I have to choose between living in a neighborhood of illegal immigrants or a neighborhood full of theives and armed robbers, I woudl choose teh hispanics anyday.
Posted by DontSpamMeBro on May 18, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
suec - Let 'em come. They will quickly find I am better prepared than the ILLEGAL ALIENS. And why should you have to choose what type of criminals you live with? You shouldn't have to live with any of them.