The Malkin effect on full display in Rhode Island. It's not enough to hate illegal immigrants anymore--you must despise anyone who dares speak Spanish in public too. A Ross Perot loving---anti-Hispanic bigot got grumpy because two Latino customers didn't know exactly what equipment they wanted---thought it was a hassle to help them---heard them speak Spanish---then demanded proof of citizenship for one of them before he would sell the items. He even threatened to call ICE and arrest them himself. And both people are US citizens. Of course there is outrage in the community.

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Richardson:....Neil, I've been very interested in illegal immigration for three years. Back in 1992 I came off my couch, Ross Perot brought me off my couch and I've been active in the reform party--- Terry's organization "Rhode Islanders for illegal enforcement," and the enforcement being the important part. So when I see a customer quite often comes into my store, sometimes they don't speak good English, ahhh---in this case we'll go to the facts. That one spoke English and one did not speak English. I got their parts, it was quite a job getting their parts because they weren't sure what they wanted. I guess it was the fellow that didn't speak English, seemed to be the mechanic part of it and the other fellow must have been the homeowner, I don't know what he was...

Cavuto: At what point did you just say I want to see your Social Security card?

Richardson: OK, so we finished the situation, I was writing it up and I casually said, "I'd like to see this gentleman's Social Security card. And that got the English speaking person all up tight and the other fellow...

How dare they speak Spanish in his store and how dare they get "up tight" because of a little racism. "I don't know what he was." Maybe he was a human being?

The Providence Journal:

All José Genao planned to do at the heating equipment supply store was buy a spare part for his boiler. While the owner began searching for the part, Genao and his friend began speaking to each other in Spanish. As owner David C. Richardson was ringing up Genao’s $18 purchase, he demanded to see their Social Security cards.

What followed was a telling encounter underscoring the tensions in this country over immigration and ethnicity. When Genao told Richardson “he did not have the right to ask all those questions,” Richardson pulled out a membership card for Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement, a group that seeks curbs on illegal immigration.

Then, he lifted the phone receiver and threatened to call immigration authorities, Genao said. “He [Richardson] grabbed the phone and said, ‘I can call ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] anytime I see an illegal immigrant,’ ” said Genao. “He also said, ‘I can make a citizen’s arrest.’  Genao, a Rhode Island state employee, is a native of the Dominican Republic and a U.S. citizen. He speaks fluent English. He said his friend — who declined comment — is also a Dominican native and U.S. citizen. “There is no problem with his status,” said Genao. “He is legal.” State records list both as registered voters...read on