A Secret Community With Secret Crimes

Philadelphia's Mexican immigrant population isn't reporting rampant crime.

1 minute read

January 11, 2005, 5:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"South Philly is the epicenter of the local working-class Mexican immigrant population. It's an undocumented community that remains virtually invisible, its members tucked away in crowded apartments and working" long shifts for minimum wage. Many Philadelphia Mexicans can't afford to live in good neighborhoods and aren't legally allowed to drive; they can't apply for a bank account so they keep most of their money on them or in their apartments. As a result, they are pinned as easy targets for crime, also because most won't report incidents out of fear of deportation. Can the local police department work with the immigrant community to find solutions?

Thanks to David Gest

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 in Philadelphia Weekly

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