Civil discussion must guide immigration issue

Published: August 04. 2008 6:00AM
The sad case of the beating death of a Mexican man should serve as a caution to those who ramp up the rhetoric on illegal immigrants.

According to the Schuylkill County District Attorney's office, Luis Ramirez, 25, died after three teenagers taunted him about his ethnic background.

Ramirez was walking through a park on July 12, escorting his fiancée's sister to a friend's house, when he and three teens fought after the teens yelled ethnic slurs. A fight ensued and Ramirez was kicked in the head. He underwent surgery, but died about 30 hours after the attack.

Ramirez, a factory worker and farmhand, came to the U.S. about six years ago to find work. He was in the country illegally.

"As a result of this crime, a young man has lost his life, many other lives have been devastated and the borough of Shenandoah has been filled with tensions between many ethnic groups," said James Goodman, Schuylkill County District Attorney.


Two teens have been charged as adults with homicide and ethnic intimidation. Another teen has been charged with aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation.

We cannot judge their guilt or innocence. That will be up the criminal court system. But it's certainly well-known that in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, harsh words and tough stands have been made against illegal immigrants. The teens are alleged to have mimicked some of that language, reportedly telling Ramirez "you should get out of this neighborhood." Crystal Dillman, Ramirez's fiancée, said Ramirez was often called names, including "dirty Mexican," and told to go back home.

There is no doubt that the next president will have to wrestle with the complex moral, social and economic issues surrounding illegal immigration.

But in the interim, we need to exercise a civil tongue in discussions about immigration and immigrants.

News that people in the Shenandoah area came together last week in a candlelight vigil to express sorrow for Ramirez's death may be a sign that we can focus on the issues surrounding immigration in a way that does justice to this country -- and to the people who desperately want to be a part of it.
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