I was very disappointed to learn that the suspected street gang member charged in the shooting death of a high school football star, may have been in the country illegally [SOURCE]. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will detain and investigate Pedro Espinoza, 19, for possible deportation once his current murder charge has run its course. It turns out that Espinoza was released from jail in an assault case the day before the March 2 killing of 17-year-old Jamiel Shaw Jr., a standout running back at Los Angeles High School.
Espinoza, a suspected member of a street gang called 18th Street, was charged last week with a single murder count with a special-circumstance allegation that could make him eligible for the death penalty. Police are looking for a second suspect.
The way that leaders of the African American and Latino communities deal with this issue of gangs, murder and illegal immigration could set the tone for Black-Brown political relationships for many years to come. Is there anywhere in our country where our two communities are operating in harmony? Is there any hope to find a solution for illegal immigration that we can support nationwide? What say u?
Espinoza, a suspected member of a street gang called 18th Street, was charged last week with a single murder count with a special-circumstance allegation that could make him eligible for the death penalty. Police are looking for a second suspect.
The way that leaders of the African American and Latino communities deal with this issue of gangs, murder and illegal immigration could set the tone for Black-Brown political relationships for many years to come. Is there anywhere in our country where our two communities are operating in harmony? Is there any hope to find a solution for illegal immigration that we can support nationwide? What say u?
6 comments:
It seems to me that Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama is the most high-profile recent example of Blacks and Latinos collaborating for the greater good.
Frankly, I don't see what the killer's immigration status has to do with anything. Most people who kill Blacks are other Black people who were born in the United States, so limiting immigration will have virtually no effect on the murder rate in Black communities.
It would be a much more effective intervention to offer more jobs and education, because the lack of hope is why young people are killing each other, regardless of what skin-color they have. As well as the resort to dangerous illegal professions in the absence of safe and lawful work in this society.
Let's not scapegoat immigration in this, or Bill Richardson might withdraw his endorsement of Barack Obama.
Francis - No question that the Black community needs to be more aggressive in battling Black-on-Black crime. However, our nation also needs to create a comprehensive policy for immigration...
While the situation with illegal immigration has become a real problem, I think the statistics are relatively low of them committing heinous crimes. I know that still does not make the situation good. We need to eradicate the gangs from the neighborhoods. They wreak havoc in so many ways. Surely, if we can fight a war elsewhere, we can tackle this form of terrorism in our own country. I will venture to say that this guy, once he is deported back to Mexico, or whereever his is from, will find his way back to the U.S. somehow. The immigration issue is so important, but many of our leaders have managed to sidestep it. Great post.
Janet - I've made a note to review McCain and Obama stance on immigration. I guess I should learn what the Republican and Democratic party platforms say on each issue as well...
I'm seeing a lot of kidnappings that involved illegal immigrants as well Villager. Stats may be low as a whole but this is a problem that need to be looked into.
Deidra - Looking at the big picture ... have you determined who has the best immigration policy stance between Hillary, Obama and McCain?
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