Attacks against Mexican immigrants in NYC’s Staten Island inflame black-Hispanic tensions

Mexican attacks inflame tensions on NYC island

NEW YORK — A spate of 11 attacks being investigated as bias incidents on New York City’s Staten Island has reinflamed tensions between black and Hispanic residents here.

Most of the attacks since April have targeted Mexican immigrants in a little-known neighborhood that has been transformed by newcomers from Latin America over the past decade.

Port Richmond residents alternately blame the attacks on the economy, unemployment and the debate over Arizona’s immigration law.

But others blame the attacks on hoodlums preying on day laborers, who are perceived as easy targets because they often carry cash home from work.

Most of the suspects have been described as young black men and the attacks were investigated as bias crimes. But a grand jury has indicted only one of seven people arrested on a hate-crime charge.