Thread: RI: Anti-Illegal Immigrant Crusader May Face Charges

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Anti-Illegal Immigrant Crusader May Face Charges

When a Providence Rhode Island storeowner asked to see the Social Security number of a customer he suspected of being in the country illegally, a firestorm was touched off that may result in his being charged with a hate crime.

José Genao came to the Heating and Supply Store owned by David Richardson with a friend to purchase an $18 part for his boiler. As Richardson was ringing up the purchase and noticing that Genao’s friend wasn’t speaking any form of English, he asked to see proof of citizenship in the form of their Social Security Cards.

Genao and his friend, both natives of the Dominican Republic and U.S. Citizens refused, prompting them to tell Richardson he “did not have the right to ask all those questions.â€

As business owner he had every right to ask them that question or any question that is not against the law. As long as he didn't deny them service simply b/c of race, ethnicity, handicap, gender...then he can ask them anything. THey don't have to respond of course.

I don't know about him being charged with a hate crime, but I'm wondering about the legality of asking to see someone's social security card unless you've got a valid reason to do so.

Originally Posted by azwreath

I don't know about him being charged with a hate crime, but I'm wondering about the legality of asking to see someone's social security card unless you've got a valid reason to do so.

Maybe the customers made up the part about him asking for their SSN.

Originally Posted by azwreath

I don't know about him being charged with a hate crime, but I'm wondering about the legality of asking to see someone's social security card unless you've got a valid reason to do so.

Doctors offices do it all the time. I dont give them my SS# and I wouldn't give it to thsi guy either, but they can request it. Nothing illegal about asking.

There's obviously something missing from this story. I tried to access the link but it wouldn't allow me in.

If this guy was paying with a credit card, perhaps he had no drivers' license or any other form of picture ID. If this is the case, I could see the store asking for a SSN/card as proof of identity.

This is the full article:

http://rightinaleftworld.blogspot.com/2 ... r-may.html[/url]

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Anti-Illegal Immigrant Crusader May Face Charges

When a Providence Rhode Island storeowner asked to see the Social Security number of a customer he suspected of being in the country illegally, a firestorm was touched off that may result in his being charged with a hate crime.

José Genao came to the Heating and Supply Store owned by David Richardson with a friend to purchase an $18 part for his boiler. As Richardson was ringing up the purchase and noticing that Genao’s friend wasn’t speaking any form of English, he asked to see proof of citizenship in the form of their Social Security Cards.

Genao and his friend, both natives of the Dominican Republic and U.S. Citizens refused, prompting them to tell Richardson he “did not have the right to ask all those questions.â€

Rhode Island law, however, may be on the side of the offended Latino’s. Rhode Island General Law 6-13-17, related to Unfair Sales Practices states,

Gee, what a surprise

[quote="azwreath"]
One point missed by nearly all is that the “tensionsâ€

Originally Posted by azwreath

I don't know about him being charged with a hate crime, but I'm wondering about the legality of asking to see someone's social security card unless you've got a valid reason to do so.

If the customer was using a check or a credit card, the owner had every right to ask for a back up id. But WHY a social security card. I've probably never had to show mine while charging something.

Anyway, A HATE CRIME?! Why is it that anyone who offends gay people, or minorities, its always A HATE CRIME?! A CRIME IS A CRIME.