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Ethnic tensions simmer in wake of trial of PA teens Shenandoah, PA -- Ten days ago, shortly after two white teenagers were acquitted of the most serious charges in the beating death of Luis Ramirez, a Mexican immigrant, several white students at the local high school told Felix Bermejo that he would be the next person to get a beating, he says. Last Sunday, Eileen Burke, a former Philadelphia police officer who found Mr. Ramirez unconscious on the ground outside her Lloyd Street home after he was beaten, found that her car had been egged after she was quoted in a local newspaper saying she believed that the police had mishandled the investigation. Last week, a fight broke out between a group of white teenagers and a group of black and Latino teenagers and someone pulled out a gun, an escalation that several onlookers said never would have happened before. The New York Times

Hispanic activists seek 'hate crimes' charges against PA teens Teenagers, a small town and alcohol. Tension between whites and a growing Hispanic population. Ethnic slurs, punches and kicks. A dead illegal immigrant from Mexico. The acquittal of white Pennsylvania... DOJ probing PA death as hate crime Washington, DC -- The Justice Department acknowledged Wednesday it has launched an investigation of the death of a Mexican immigrant in Pennsylvania to see if it should be prosecuted as... Feds review case of PA teens in beating case Pottsville, PA (AP) -- Two Pennsylvania teens acquitted of the most serious state charges in the beating death of a Mexican immigrant could still face federal charges. The Justice Department's...

More Pennsylvania Immigration News

MALDEF to pursue case of acquitted PA teens

Pottsville, PA (UPI) -- Hispanic-American leaders in eastern Pennsylvania say they'll urge federal charges against two white youths acquitted of slaying a Mexican immigrant. Gladys Limon, a spokeswoman for the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, told CNN her group...
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PA panel explores enforcement options

A local lawmaker is one of four state legislators who will serve on a bipartisan Immigration Task Force charged with exploring the feasibility of a bill that would empower agencies to enforce federal immigration laws. Rep. Will Tallman, R-Reading Township,...
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PA teens acquitted of most serious charges

Pottsville, PA (AP) -- Prosecutors called the beating death of an illegal immigrant from Mexico a hate crime. They urged an all-white jury in Pennsylvania coal country to punish two white teenagers for their roles in the attack. Instead, the...
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PA minister's job change jeopardizes immigration status

The controversial minister of the largest Korean church in the Lehigh Valley has been ousted, but he and dozens of followers are starting a new church in Bethlehem. The Lehigh Presbytery voted Tuesday to 'dissolve the call' of Rev. Chang...
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PA teens on trial for murder of Mexican illegal

Pottsville, PA (AP) -- Almost from the beginning, Colin Walsh thought his friends were setting him up to take the fall for Luis Ramirez's death. It was true that Walsh, a standout high school football player, had knocked the illegal...
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Murder trial of PA teens commences

Pottsville, PA -- Ethnicity was at the center of opening arguments here Monday in the trial of two white teenagers charged in the fatal beating of an illegal immigrant from Mexico last July. Lawyers for the two defendants described the...
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PA trial begins over death of Mexican illegal

Shenandoah, PA (AP) -- Though she'd never been to Mexico, Crystal Dillman somehow felt at home the moment she stepped inside the small concrete house in Iramuco. She ascended the stairs to the third floor and crossed the threshold of...
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PA city mayor plans to attract immigrants

Mayor Michael Nutter says the future growth of Philadelphia depends on immigrants. Looking at the data, he has good reason. Over the past few decades, Philadelphia has been hemorrhaging population, but the number and percentage of immigrants have steadily grown....
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Protest to be held during PA murder trial

Voice of the People USA plans to hold a "silent protest" during the trial of two Shenandoah teens accused of beating an illegal Mexican immigrant to death last July. "We are no in way trying to glorify those who killed...
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PA city may see immigration growth

Few subjects stir emotions more than immigration. For years, Pittsburgh has been somewhat isolated from the immigration debate, but that's changing. Local trade unions say illegal immigrants are taking people's jobs. KDKA (Pittsburg, PA)...
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PA city police suspect Dominican gang in late-night shooting

Members of a street gang beat and shot a man at a Hazleton restaurant late Sunday night, according to city police. The attack happened inside Prestigio Restaurant at North Wyoming and West Green streets at 11:20 p.m. when six to...
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PA Senate approves restrictions on services for illegals

A bill introduced by Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-25th, of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties to bar public benefits for illegal aliens passed the state Senate yesterday. Under the proposed law, illegals...
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PA bill seeks crackdown on illegals

Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-25th, of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties, caused the full chamber to consider legislation to bar public benefits to illegal aliens. The Senate State Government Committee, on which...
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PA bill restricts illegals' access to state services

The Pennsylvania Senate will soon vote on a bill to keep illegal aliens living in the state from getting public benefits, like Medicaid, welfare and in-state college tuition. The author of the bill, Joseph Scarnati said, 'Pennsylvania citizens who are...
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PA Rep. seeks to facilitate deportation proceedings

Just weeks after an undocumented immigrant living in Easton made headlines for being charged with his sixth drunken driving offense, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent revived his efforts to crack down on such criminals. The congressman wants localities to refuse bail...
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